Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a condensation polymer produced by the esterification of ethylene glycol with terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). It is a thermosetting plastic and one of the most widely used plastic polymers. PET can be processed using common molding methods such as injection molding, blow molding and extrusion. It is also suitable for the manufacture of thin-layer products such as stretch film and thermoforming. Nowadays, PET has become one of the ubiquitous materials in modern life.
Alfa Chemistry is a leading global supplier of PET. We are committed to providing you with different specifications of high-quality PET to meet your scientific or industrial applications. With our extensive product portfolio, you can find the perfect PET to drive your project forward.
How to Make PET
The production of PET involves the following steps:
- Raw Material Preparation: The main ingredients for PET production are ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid (or its dimethyl ester, called DMT). Ethylene glycol is a colorless liquid obtained from ethylene and terephthalic acid is a crystalline solid obtained from xylene. All raw materials need to be of high purity.
- Polymerization: The polymerization of PET is typically carried out using a method called melt-phase polymerization or transesterification. In this process, ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid/DMT undergo a high-temperature decompression reaction in the presence of a catalyst. This results in the formation of PET polymer chains.
- Further Processing: The resulting PET can be spun directly into fibers or solidified for subsequent processing as plastics.
Performance Characteristics
The excellent performance characteristics of PET make it widely used in different industries. Its main characteristics are described below.
- High Mechanical Strength: PET is known for its high mechanical strength. It provides excellent resistance to impact, bending and stretching.
- Transparency and Clarity: PET is colorless and can be transparent (if amorphous) or translucent (if semi-crystalline).
- Barrier Properties: PET is a powerful gas and moisture blocker, and is also a great deterrent to liquids and solvents.
- Light Weight: PET is a lightweight material. Compared to glass, it has a lower carbon footprint during production and transportation.
- Chemical Resistance: PET is resistant to water at room temperature, neutral and acidic salts, alcohols, dilute acids, ethers, oils, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
- Recyclability: PET is highly recyclable. It can be used as a raw material for the production of new PET products.
Applications
PET has a wide range of applications in various industries. Its typical applications are as follows:
- Packaging: PET is widely used in the packaging industry, especially in beverage bottles, food containers, cans and trays. Its transparency, durability and barrier properties make it an ideal choice for maintaining the freshness and quality of beverages and food.
- Textiles and fibers: PET can be used to make artificial fibers for textiles. Fibers made from PET have excellent wear resistance, low moisture absorption and are very durable. They can be used in the production of clothing, home textiles, carpets, bed sheets, upholstery padding and upholstered furniture.
- Engineering plastics: PET can be modified and reinforced to create engineering plastics with enhanced mechanical properties. These plastics are used in automotive parts, electrical components, industrial equipment, and consumer goods.
Our Products
Alfa Chemistry provides customers with PET in different material forms. The specific products are as follows:
Please kindly note that our products and services are for research use only.
