Post on 02-Oct-2014
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.
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
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
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