new fibres for home textile ptt triexta fibre

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HOME TEXTILE VIEWS / OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2011 16 History of PTT fibre Poly (trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was first synthesized and patented in 1941, but it was not produced commercially. PTT was commercialised as a molding material in the late 1990s. Asahi Kasei Fibers began development of PTT fibre in 1996, with production and sale beginning in 1999. Teijin Fibers began developing PTT fibre in 2000. The vast majority of polyester textile fibres are PET. Its sister polymer, poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT), has a very limited application to textiles. PTT, made by Shell Chemicals and marketed under the trade name Corterra ® , has many characteristics that lend themselves to a variety of products — durable, stain resistance, superior elastic recovery, good colourfastness, uniform dye uptake, luxurious feel, antistatic properties, stain resistance, and easy care. Description of PTT fibre PTT is produced by the poly-condensation reaction of PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and PDO (1, 3 propanediol) and has unique properties as compared to the other aromatic T he modification of polyester is an important item in the research of fibres that have new characteristics and new performances. This fibre is the most spread among the chemical fibres and it has reached the high maturity. PTT belongs to a class of polymers called aromatic polyesters. However, PTT Polymer is a unique product in that it behaves very differently than other polyesters. The fibre is got through poly condensation of PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and PDO (1, 3 propanediol), which is chemically obtained by the Shell Group and that is biochemically obtained by DuPont. The unique properties of PTT have been known for many years but the polymer has not been commercially available because of the high cost of production of the PDO raw material. Extensive research effort by Shell Chemicals has resulted in a cost-effective process to manufacture PDO. With this breakthrough in processing technology for PDO, PTT are now commercially available for use in carpet fibre, textile fibre, monofilament, film, non-woven fabric, and engineering thermoplastic applications. PTT is a futuristic synthetic fibre with its unique spring-like molecular structure possessing the favourable properties of both polyester and nylon, while having its own stretchiness. It is also readily compatible with natural and synthetic fibres thanks to its unique soft texture.

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New Fibres for Home Textile PTT Triexta Fibre

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Page 1: New Fibres for Home Textile PTT Triexta Fibre

HOME TEXTILE VIEWS / OCTOBER-DECEMBER 201116

History of PTT fibre

Poly (trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was first

synthesized and patented in 1941, but it was

not produced commercially. PTT was

commercialised as a molding material in the

late 1990s. Asahi Kasei Fibers began

development of PTT fibre in 1996, with

production and sale beginning in 1999. Teijin

Fibers began developing PTT fibre in 2000.

The vast majority of polyester textile fibres are

PET. Its sister polymer, poly (butylene

terephthalate) (PBT), has a very limited

application to textiles. PTT, made by Shell

Chemicals and marketed under the trade name

Corterra®

, has many characteristics that lend

themselves to a variety of products — durable,

stain resistance, superior elastic recovery, good

colourfastness, uniform dye uptake, luxurious

feel, antistatic properties, stain resistance, and

easy care.

Description of PTT fibre

PTT is produced by the poly-condensation

reaction of PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and

PDO (1, 3 propanediol) and has unique

properties as compared to the other aromatic

The modification of polyester is an important item in the

research of fibres that have new characteristics and new

performances. This fibre is the most spread among the chemical

fibres and it has reached the high maturity. PTT belongs to a

class of polymers called aromatic polyesters. However, PTT

Polymer is a unique product in that it behaves very differently

than other polyesters.

The fibre is got through poly condensation of PTA (purified

terephthalic acid) and PDO (1, 3 propanediol), which is

chemically obtained by the Shell Group and that is

biochemically obtained by DuPont. The unique properties of

PTT have been known for many years but the polymer has not

been commercially available because of the high cost of

production of the PDO raw material. Extensive research effort

by Shell Chemicals has resulted in a cost-effective process to

manufacture PDO. With this breakthrough in processing

technology for PDO, PTT are now commercially available for

use in carpet fibre, textile fibre, monofilament, film, non-woven

fabric, and engineering thermoplastic applications.

PTT is a futuristic synthetic fibre with its unique spring-like

molecular structure possessing the favourable properties of

both polyester and nylon, while having its own stretchiness. It

is also readily compatible with natural and synthetic fibres thanks

to its unique soft texture.

Page 2: New Fibres for Home Textile PTT Triexta Fibre

HOME TEXTILE VIEWS / OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2011 17

Comparison of performance of different carpet fibres

polyesters, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PBT

(polybutylene terephthalate).

PTT fibre characteristics

PTT is an advanced polymer that can be spun into fibres. The

fibres and yarns have a unique combination of properties

including stretch and recovery, softness, bulk, and easy dye.

Fabrics produced from PTT fibres and yarns clean easily and

have superior durability.

As regards to other synthetic fibres, PTT ones are softer,

are easier to be dyed, keep vivid colours longer, lose their

shape easier and as easier go back to their original shape.

They also are better dirty-resistant, are easier to be cleaned

and dry quickly.

PTT is resistant to strong oxidizing bleaches, such as sodium

hypochlorite, even in concentrated form (6 per cent). In fact,

it is said to resist bleaching even better than polyester PET.

Colour fastness of PTT is superior to polyester and Type 6

nylon and comparable to Type 6, 6 nylon when subjected to

a wide range of tests including high concentrations of ozone,

nitrogen dioxide, and light and sun fading.

PTT is oleophilic, and performs similarly to polyester PET and

olefin, and it easily removes oily spots and soils (petroleum,

animal, vegetable) using dry solvent spotters and cleaning

additives (e.g., propylene glycol). PTT’s hand, while a

somewhat subjective evaluation, is achieved by the polymer

itself, and is noticeably softer than polyester, and comparable

to nylon fibre.

Comparison with different fibre

PTT fibre combines the best properties of nylon and polyester.

Whether used in carpet, garments, home furnishings or

automotive fabrics, PTT fibres look better longer. Compared

with other synthetic fibres like nylon and acrylic, PTT fibres

feel softer, dye easier, retain vibrant colours longer, stretch

and recover better. More important, PTT fibres resist staining,

clean easily and dry quickly.

PTT Polyester PBT Nylon 6,6

Tensile strength (Cn/Dtex) 3.4 – 3.7 3.7– 4.4 3.5 4.1 – 4.5

Elongation at break (per cent) 36 – 42 30 – 38 38 32 – 44

Initial young’s modulus (Cn/Dtex) 23 97 23 31

Tensile recovery from 20 per cent 88 29 40 62

elongation (per cent)

Specific gravity 1.34 1.38 1.34 1.14

Moisture regain (per cent) 0.4 0.4 0.4 4.5

Boil shrinkage (per cent) 14 7 15 13

Melting point (° C) 230 254 230 253

Glass transition point (° C) 51 69 25 76

Weathering resistance Negligible loss of Negligible loss of Negligible loss of Moderate loss

strength strength strength of strength,

yellowing under

some conditions

Yellowing resistance Negligible Negligible Negligible Yellowing under

yellowing yellowing yellowing some conditions

Nylon Nylon Olefin PET polyester PET polyester Triexta PTT

(filament) (staple) (filament) (staple) (filament) (filament)

Fibre strength

Appearance retention

Stain resistant

Soil resistant

Cleaning

Available colours

Piling and fuzzing

Resistance to

household cleaners

Page 3: New Fibres for Home Textile PTT Triexta Fibre

HOME TEXTILE VIEWS / OCTOBER-DECEMBER 201118

Environmental benefits of PTT fibre

Producing PTT fibre uses 30 per cent less energy and reduces

greenhouse gas emissions by 63 per cent compared to the

production of an equal amount of nylon 6. Further, there are

no additional chemical treatments used for stain resistance.

Less energy, lower emissions, no added chemical treatments.

Energy savings is also part of the environmental story with

PTT offering a 30 per cent savings over nylon6 and a 40 per

cent savings over nylon 6.6.

Applications of PTT fibre

Fabrics made from PTT fibres not only offer easy-care and

stretch, but a combination of features that include inherent

stain resistance, lasting durability for longer wear,

remarkable softness, beautiful fluid drape and rich brilliant

colours. There also are benefits for textile manufacturers:

PTT fibres dye well at low temperatures, blend well with

other fibres, and are less expensive and much easier to

work with than spandex.

Carpet fibre Wool Nylon Polypropylene Triexta PTT Polyester

characteristics olefin

Resiliency – determined Good to Excellent Excellent Excellent Good to

by fibre structure and excellent excellent

modifications

Abrasion resistance – Good to Excellent Excellent Excellent Good to

determined by fibre and excellent excellent

density of face fibre –

the more tightly packed

the yarns, the more

resistant to wear

Soil and stain resistance/ Good to Good to Good if only soil Excellent Good if only soil

clean ability – determined excellent excellent and stains are and stains are

by colour, texture dyes, treated promptly treated promptly

fibre structure and

modifications

Resistance to sunlight – Poor-if protected Good-special dyes Loses strength and Excellent Good-may

determined by fibre from ultraviolet may be used to deteriorates unless weaken with

structure & modifications rays, degradation inhibit sun damage chemically modified prolonged

does not occur to resist sunlight exposure

as rapidly damage

Static – determined by Builds up in low Builds up in low Builds up in low Builds up in low Builds up in low

fibre structure and humidity unless humidity unless humidity but at a humidity unless humidity unless

modifications modified modified lower level than modified modified

nylon or polyester

Hand feel Warm, soft Varies from warm Waxy, soft Warm, soft Varies -finer

and soft to cold deniers are soft

and coarse and silky

Resistance to mildew – Poor if damp or Fibre may be Excellent Excellent Excellent

determined by fibre soiled modified

structure & modifications

Flammability – Burns slowly Burns slowly, melts Melts at low Burns slowly, Burns slowly,

determined by fibre indirect flame; in direct flame; temperatures (170Â ° C); melts; some are melts; some are

structure, modification, considered self- self-extinguishing. burns and emits heavy, self-extinguishing. self extinguishing.

construction methods, extinguishing. Structure may alter sooty, waxy smoke. Chemical odour Chemical odour

dyes, padding and Burning hair what occurs. Paraffin wax odour.

carpet installation odour Celery-like odour Pulling a heavy ojbect

methods across the carpet

surface can cause

enough friction to

melt the carpet fibres

Page 4: New Fibres for Home Textile PTT Triexta Fibre

HOME TEXTILE VIEWS / OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2011 19

By Vasant R Kothari, Assistant Professor, NIFT, Bangalore(Author can be contacted @ www.vasantkothari.com)

PPT fibres can be used in apparel as well as home furnishing.

In apparel it can be used in casual, swimwear, active wear

and innerwear and on the other hand in home furnishing

carpets, draperies, sheets and pillow cases, wall coverings

and upholstery can be made by PTT fibres.

However, PTT fibres are best to manufacture the carpets.

Carpets made with PTT fibres offer a breakthrough in the

combination of stain resistance and durability. They have

nylon-like wear performance without the need for chemical

stain treatments and complicated cleaning procedures. Most

stains, including mustard, iodine and hot coffee, can be

removed with hot water and are dry within a few hours.

Moreover, PTT fibre's stain resistance offers an ease of

maintenance and reduced need for replacement.

Caring for PTT fibre

Carpets made with PTT fibre are permanently stain resistant.

Even the toughest stains, such as mustard, ketchup and red

wine — are no match for stain resistance that comes from

the inside out. And, because this stain resistance will never

wash off or wear away, carpets made by PPT fibres look like

new for many years.

Conclusion

The PTT fibre is considered to be the most important fibre

of the after-polyester period. It is the first significant new

material in the textile and carpet industry for some time.

Fabrics made with PTT fibres have great appeal in the

fast-growing stretch market. It provides manufacturers with

a wider range of options for new products than they have

now. At this point, PTT does not hold a significant carpet

market share; however, promotion by major industry

players, such as Mohawk, Shaw and DuPont, may change

that. As far as long-term performance is concerned, no

other fibre can beat PPT.

The mantra of ‘Performance PLUS environmental benefits’

is evident for PTT fibre in carpet applications. In today’s

competitive environment, beauty is simply not enough.

Designers, architects, and facility managers demand more

in terms of performance, environment and value when it

comes to products. Today’s market demands beauty,

performance and sustainable solutions. PTT fibre in

commercial carpet applications provides what designers,

architects and managers are looking for

PTT structure

PET structure

Page 5: New Fibres for Home Textile PTT Triexta Fibre