Polyester Carpet Fiber Characteristics

Polyester Carpet Fiber Properties, How to Clean

Polyester Carpet Fiber Properties:

• Market: 8%
• “Hand”: Very Good
• I.D. Method: Dissolves in hot meta-cresol. Burns rapidly to a round hard bead and gives off a pungent odor.
• Moisture Absorption: 0.04-0.08%
• Specific Gravity: 1.23
• Resilience: Fair
• Abrasion Resistance: Good
• Effects of Acids, Alkalis, and Solvents: Resistant to most acids and solvents
• Dye Methods: Dispersed Dyes
• Resistance to Mildew, Aging, Sunlight: Excellent resistance to mildew and aging. Prolonged sunlight can cause degradation
• Color Retention: Good
• Stain Resistance: Excellent
• Stains/Soils Attracted to Fiber: Oil based
• Melt Point: 509 degrees F
• Cigarette Burn Resistance: None

Polyester (PET - Polyethylene Terephthalate) had been gaining market share, but is no longer. It had been gaining because it was easily recycled from 2-liter soda pop bottles (a good “talking point” to environmentally conscious consumers) and because it is inherently stain resistant. Polyester carpets are soft to the touch. Like olefin, it has very poor resilience, which obviates its use in high traffic areas and it readily attracts oily soils. Some of the trade names of PET products are Dacron^®, Diolen^®, Terylene^® and Trevira^®.

Corterra^® (PolyTrimethylene Terephthalate - sometimes abbreviated PTT), a type of polyester, originally made by Shell Chemical, was touted at one time as the eventual replacement for nylon as the primary fiber of choice in carpet, but that has not happened. DuPont developed a new process to product PTT from corn sugar and calls this fiber Sorona^®. The FTC determined that fibers made from PTT offer a unique combination of benefits which merit a new generic name, Triexta. This is the fiber used in Mohawk’s SmartStrand^®.

It is anticipated that Triexta fibers will resist staining with acid food dyes and be somewhat resistant to disperse dyes (the yellow of turmeric in mustard is an example of a disperse dye). PTT does have an affinity for oil and grease, but should respond well to cleaning if it is done on a regular basis, at least annual, for typical family use.

Advantages of Polyester Carpet Fiber:

• The single biggest advantage of polyester in carpeting environments is the fact that it is inherently stain resistant.
• Polyester carpets and rugs feel soft under the feet.
• Most polyester carpets and rugs are made out of recycled materials, such as plastic soft drink bottles.
• Polyester is considerably less expensive than nylon.

Disadvantages of Polyester Carpet Fiber:

• Polyester has very poor durability.
• Oil-based stains are a problem with polyester, which absorbs oils, including off the bottoms of feet.
• Polyester rugs generate high levels of static electricity when you walk across them.
• With its poor resilience, polyester carpet pile will eventually flatten with regular use, especially in high traffic areas, and will “ugly out” quickly.

Nylon vs. Polyester Carpet:

• Nylon carpet fiber is the most durable synthetic carpet fiber available.
• Nylon carpet “bounces back” from compaction from foot traffic and polyester “smashes down” irrevocably with foot traffic.
• When it comes to stain resistance, polyester takes the lead, because it repels most liquid spills and pet urine.
• Nylon is more expensive fiber than nylon, but usually worth it.
• Polyester is shinier than nylon with brighter colors.
• Overall, polyester carpet is a poorer choice than nylon, except, perhaps, in very low-traffic areas such as guest bedrooms.

Polyester Related Information & Product(s):

• Carpet Fiber Characteristics Chart
• Carpet Fiber Identification
• Carpet Fiber Overview
• Corterra (PolyTrimethylene Terephthalate
• Fiber Chemistry
• Manufacturing Carpet