Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Brief Overview

PET, which stands for polyethylene terephthalate, is a clear, solid, and lightweight plastic belonging to the polyester family. It is typically called "polyester" when used for fibers or fabrics and "PET" or "PET Resin" when used for bottles, jars, containers, and packaging applications. PET is the world's packaging choice for many foods and beverages because it is hygienic, strong, lightweight, shatterproof, and retains freshness. It is most commonly used for packaging carbonated soft drinks and water. Available grade: Yarn, Bottle

Manufacturing Process

Properties:

• It is very strong and lightweight & hence easy and efficient to transport
• It is known for its good gas (oxygen, carbon dioxide) and moisture barrier properties
• It exhibits excellent electrical insulating properties
• It has low gas permeability, in particularly with carbon dioxide
• PET is suitable for transparent applications, when quenching during processing
• PET doesn’t not break or fracture. It is practically shatter-resistant and hence, a suitable glass-replacement in some applications
• It is recyclable and transparent to microwave radiation
• PET is approved as safe for contact with foods and beverages by the FDA, Health Canada, EFSA & other health agencies

PET is widely used in packaging, containers for liquids and foods, fibres for clothing, and in combination with glass fibre for engineering resins.

Textiles

Polyester fabrics are strong, flexible, and offer additional benefit of less wrinkles and shrinkage over cotton. Polyester fabrics are light-weight, reduced-wind, drag-resistant and more resistant to tears.

Electrical and electronics

Thanks to good electrical insulating properties, high structural and dimensional stability, polyethylene terephthalate is an effective polymer to replace die casts metals and thermosets in applications like: electrical encapsulation, solenoids, smart meters, photovoltaic parts, solar junction boxes, etc. Polymer’s outstanding flow characteristics enable design freedom and miniaturization to produce high-performance parts.

Automotives

It is currently being employed in the following applications: wiper arm and gear housings, headlamp retainer, engine cover, connector housings.