What are the advantages and disadvantages of polyester fabrics

When you want a unique piece of fabric, you can make it yourself using sites like Contrado. Upload your favorite image or pattern, then change the size, position and repeat of the design. After finishing the design, you can choose the size of the polyester fabric and place an order. You can even order sample prints to check if you like the results.

Polymerization of polyester

The polymerization process produces various types of fibers from a single polyester molecule. Polyester fibers can be filaments or staple fibers. Each of them has different strengths. In filament form, they can be 4 to 7 grams per square meter. Under normal conditions, polyester fibers have a low elongation of about 15% to 30%. Polyester is also very light, with a specific gravity of 1.38 grams per cubic centimeter. They resist wrinkles, which makes them suitable for clothing and other products.

The polymerization process involves the addition of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid to the monomers. The polymer is then heated to a temperature between 4300 degrees Celsius to decompose the monomers. The polymerized polyester is then cooled to achieve a brittle, water-reducible consistency. When the polymerization is complete, the polyester is completely dry.

The impact of polyester fabrics on the environment

The negative impact of polyester fabrics on the environment cannot be underestimated. In the production of polyester, fossil fuels are burned, a scarce resource that we cannot replenish. In addition to being unsustainable, these fuels are expensive, bad for ecosystems, and bad for people. In addition, petrochemicals are not renewable, which means that as the price of oil rises, the price of polyester is likely to rise as well.

The production of synthetic materials is responsible for more than 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide. It is estimated that textile companies use 5 trillion liters of water to dye fabrics each year, enough to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. Additionally, washing compositions release tiny particles that contaminate our waterways. In addition, the fashion industry accounts for nearly 10 percent of global carbon emissions—much more than international flights and ocean shipping combined.

Alternatives to polyester fabrics

Despite its popularity, polyester fabrics have some real drawbacks. Its production and disposal cause serious water pollution. This pollutant consists mainly of plastics and heavy metals. Additionally, oil spills during polyester processing can damage groundwater, oceans and other water sources. Alternatives to polyester can make your clothes more environmentally friendly. Here are some of them:

Recycled polyester. In terms of sustainability, recycled polyester can be recycled into clothing. While this doesn't solve the pollution problem, it still looks luxurious and is a good choice. In fact, a Swedish forestry cooperative is working on a process to separate polyester from cotton. The aim is to reduce air pollution and make textiles more sustainable for future generations. Its benefits are obvious: recycled polyester reduces air pollution.

polyester fabric price

The price of polyester fabrics has fluctuated in recent months. The cost of raw polyester fiber remains low at $1 per pound. Therefore, polyester fabrics remain one of the most affordable textiles in the world. It is used in clothing, bedding and other home textiles and is suitable for almost all types. Here are some examples of fabrics that are priced differently in different countries:

There are many types of polyester fabrics, but most are made from petroleum. Due to its mass production, it is inexpensive but environmentally harmful. Organic materials are preferred, but they are more expensive. Modal and Lyocell are petroleum-free polyester alternatives. These materials are more friendly to workers and the environment because they do not use harsh chemicals in the manufacturing process. Also, they are more affordable than their petroleum-based counterparts.