Polyester. What kind of material is it, and what is its use

In those times when various polymers and plastics began to be actively introduced into everyday life, it seemed to people that with their help it would be possible to solve almost all tasks beyond the capacity for natural materials. Such scientific and technical-chemical euphoria lasted from the late forties to the seventies, until mankind became convinced that cotton, flax or wool for clothes, in most cases, is better than any synthetics. However, these decades were not in vain, many very valuable and useful qualities of polymers created conditions for their wide application in various fields of human activity.

One of the most common synthetic materials is polyester. What is this product, for which products is it used now? To answer these questions, you first need to understand the chemical and mechanical properties of this polymer.

As a polyester material is a multimolecular chain of polyesters. In the synthesis of this polymer, strong bonds arise, making it extremely strong. As applied to garments, this means its high resistance to tearing and creasing. Is it good? Of course, for some toilet items these qualities are simply irreplaceable, as well as the ability to resist moisture. But everything has the opposite side. Low hygroscopicity and rigidity of this material make it uncomfortable with respect to the skin. However, it's impossible to talk about polyester, that it is a completely useless fabric for making clothes, just the area of its application is limited.

In different countries there are various commercial names, which denote polyester. The composition of raw materials can be combined, for example: "wool 65%, lavsan 35%". The word is, at first glance, foreign, in fact is an abbreviation in which the Academy of Sciences is the Academy of Sciences, and the letters "L", "A" and "B" mean the laboratory of high-molecular compounds. In the US, this material is produced under the name "dacron".

In technology, this polymer has been widely used due to its special properties. For example, 100% polyester is used for the production of packaging materials that require high strength. What are these properties? The strength of the strapping strap for the tightening of bales, which have a substantial straightening force when squeezed, is only slightly inferior to the resistance of the metal tape to the rupture, while the polymer is much lighter, and, more importantly, cheaper than iron. Strength of polyester yarns causes their application in those cases when the seam should be very reliable, and the ropes woven from them can withstand enormous loads.

In the world aircraft industry and the design of cars over the past decade, there has also been an active expansion of the scope of composite polymer materials. Any part, for the manufacture of which is used instead of dural plastic, reduces weight and improves corrosion resistance. For military aviation, this polyester has another important property: the scientists have established, by examining polyester, that this is a radio-conductive material. This feature allows you to perform radome fairings from it, and the silhouette of the aircraft becomes less noticeable for air defense systems of a possible enemy.