Polymers are chemical substances formed by recombining simple molecular units called monomers. They are used in many areas, from the packaging industry to the construction, automotive and electronics industries.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer belonging to the polyester family. It is produced from diethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol monomers. PET is a strong and resilient material with excellent tensile and breaking strength. It is also highly resistant to shocks and deformation. In addition it is relatively light and easy to mould and shape. PET is often used in the production of textile fibres, plastic films, bottles and food containers.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PET?
Advantages.
Low cost of production: PET is a relatively inexpensive material to produce, making it a popular choice for many manufacturers.
Low density: PET has a low density, making it easy to transport and process.
Ease of conversion: PET can easily be shaped and converted into a variety of shapes, making it a versatile material for manufacturing a variety of products.
Mechanical strength: PET has excellent tensile and breaking strength and resists impact and deformation.
Transparency: PET is transparent and can be used for making transparent plastic films.
Disadvantages
Sensitive to UV radiation: PET is sensitive to UV radiation and can be affected by prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Sensitivity to oxidising agents: PET can be sensitive to oxidising agents and can degrade when exposed to air and moisture.
Low resistance to high temperatures: PET has low resistance to high temperatures and cannot be used at temperatures above 120°C.
Sensitive to organic solvents: PET is sensitive to organic solvents and can be destroyed by some solvents.
Low electrical conductivity: PET has low electrical conductivity and is an electrical insulator, which may limit its use in some applications.
