Polyester resistance

Not all synthetic polymers are used as fibers Mylar for example is chemically the same as Dacron but IS prepared in the form of a thin film instead of a fiber Lexan is a polyester which because of its impact resistance is used as a shatterproof substitute for glass It IS a polycarbonate having the structure shown... 

Bisphenol A. One mole of acetone condenses with two moles of phenol to form bisphenol A [80-05-07] which is used mainly in the production of polycarbonate and epoxy resins. Polycarbonates (qv) are high strength plastics used widely in automotive appHcations and appHances, multilayer containers, and housing appHcations. Epoxy resins (qv) are used in fiber-reinforced larninates, for encapsulating electronic components, and in advanced composites for aircraft—aerospace and automotive appHcations. Bisphenol A is also used for the production of corrosion- and chemical-resistant polyester resins, polysulfone resins, polyetherimide resins, and polyarylate resins. 

Plasticizers. About 2.5% of U.S. adipic acid consumed in 1988 was used in two basic types of adipic ester based plasticizers (195). Simple adipate esters prepared from Cg—alcohols are used especially as PVC plasticizers (qv). Eor special appHcations requiring low volatility or extraction resistance, polyester derivatives of diols or polyols are preferred. 

Resistance to Microorganisms and Insects. Resistance of triacetate to microorganisms, based on soil-burial tests, is high, approaching that of polyester, acryUc, and nylon fibers. Sod-burial test results on acetate, triacetate, and cotton are shown in Figure 8. Neither acetate nor triacetate fiber is readdy attacked by moths or carpet beedes. 

Other elastomeric-type fibers iaclude the biconstituents, which usually combine a polyamide or polyester with a segmented polyurethane-based fiber. These two constituents ate melt-extmded simultaneously through the same spinneret hole and may be arranged either side by side or ia an eccentric sheath—cote configuration. As these fibers ate drawn, a differential shrinkage of the two components develops to produce a hehcal fiber configuration with elastic properties. An appHed tensile force pulls out the helix and is resisted by the elastomeric component. Kanebo Ltd. has iatroduced a nylon—spandex sheath—cote biconstituent fiber for hosiery with the trade name Sidetia (6). 

In the late 1980s, new fully aromatic polyester fibers were iatroduced for use ia composites and stmctural materials (18,19). In general, these materials are thermotropic Hquid crystal polymers that are melt-processible to give fibers with tensile properties and temperature resistance considerably higher than conventional polyester textile fibers. Vectran (Hoechst-Celanese and Kuraray) is a thermotropic Hquid crystal aromatic copolyester fiber composed of -hydroxyben2oic acid [99-96-7] and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. Other fully aromatic polyester fiber composites have been iatroduced under various tradenames (19). 

Polyester fibers have exceUent resistance to soap, detergent, bleach, and other oxidiziag agents. PET fibers are generally iasoluble ia organic solvents, including cleaning fluids, but are soluble ia some phenoHc compounds, eg, (9-chlorophenol. 

Other Properties. Polyester fibers have good resistance to uv radiation although prolonged exposure weakens the fibers (47,51). PET is not affected by iasects or microorganisms and can be designed to kill bacteria by the iacorporation of antimicrobial agents (19). The oleophilic surface of PET fibers attracts and holds oils. Other PET fiber properties can be found ia the Hterature (47,49). 

Molybdenum Oxides. Molybdenum was one of the first elements used to retard the flames of ceUulosics (2). Mote recently it has been used to impart flame resistance and smoke suppression to plastics (26). Molybdic oxide, ammonium octamolybdate, and zinc molybdate ate the most widely used molybdenum flame retardants. Properties ate given in Table 5. These materials ate recommended almost exclusively for poly(vinyl chloride), its alloys, and unsaturated polyesters (qv). 

Unsaturated Polyesters. There are two approaches used to provide flame retardancy to unsaturated polyesters. These materials can be made flame resistant by incorporating halogen when made, or by adding some organic halogen compound when cured. In either case a synergist is needed. The second approach involves the addition of a hydrated filler. At least an equal amount of filler is used. 

The THPOH—NH process was used extensively for children s sleepwear in the early 1970s. However, the advent of the Tris problem on polyester led to a sharp decline in commercial production of chemically finished children s flame-resistant cotton sleepwear. 

THPOH—Ammonia—Tris Finish. By far the most effective finish for polyester—cotton textiles was a system based on the THPOH—NH treatment of the cotton component either foUowed or preceded by the appUcation of Tris finish to the polyester component. This combined treatment appeared to be effective on almost any polyester—cotton blend. A large amount of fabric treated in this way was sold throughout the United States and much of the rest of the world. Shortly after the introduction of Tris finishing, Tris was found to be a carcinogen. Most of the Tris treated production was in children s sleepwear, and this created a situation in which almost aU chemical fire-retardant-treated textiles were unfairly condemned as dangerous. Manufacturers mshed to replace chemically treated textiles with products produced from inherently flame-resistant fibers. Nowhere was the impact more severe than in the children s sleepwear market. New, safer materials have been introduced to replace Tris. Thus far none has been as completely effective. 

Sucrose polyesters, which are made by esterilying sucrose with long-chain fatty acids, have the physical properties of fat, but are resistant to digestive enzymes (40). Olestra, a sucrose polyester developed by Procter Gamble, was submitted for regulatory approval in May 1987. In order to faciUtate the approval process, Procter Gamble has since narrowed the scope of its food additive petition to include olestra s use only in savory and extmded snacks. 

Vinyl organosol coatings, which incorporate a high molecular weight thermoplastic PVC organosol dispersion resin, are extremely flexible. Soluble thermosetting resins, including epoxy, phenoHc, and polyesters, are added to enhance the film s product resistance and adhesion. 

Polyester. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) [25038-59-9] (PET) polyester film has intermediate gas- and water- vapor barrier properties, very high tensile and impact strengths, and high temperature resistance (see Polyesters, thermoplastic). AppHcations include use as an outer web in laminations to protect aluminum foil. It is coated with PVDC to function as the flat or sealing web for vacuum/gas flush packaged processed meat, cheese, or fresh pasta. 

Poly(vinylidene chloride). Poly(viayHdene chloride) [9002-85-1] (PVDC), most of which is produced by Dow Chemical, is best known in its saran or PVC-copolymerized form (see Vinylidene chloride and poly(VINYLIDENE chloride)). As solvent or emulsion coating, PVDC imparts high oxygen, fat, aroma, and water-vapor resistance to substrates such as ceUophane, oriented polypropylene, polyester, and nylon. 

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