Polyester — histoire, structure, propriétés et usages

Repères

PETResin

~255 °CTm

Melt-dripFire

Dacron / TeryleneIcon

MicrofibresIssue

textilesFamily

Polyester is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under textiles: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Polyester with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.

Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Introduction approfondie

Deep dive: Polyester

Polyester ((C10H8O4)n PET) is a family of grades whose density ~1.38 g/cm³, heat band ~250–260 °C, and fire letter melts and drips unless FR.

What “the material” actually is

Polyester is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry (C10H8O4)n PET, density ~1.38 g/cm³, heat band ~250–260 °C.

This atlas treats Polyester as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.

Heat, fire and insulation

Conductivity note: low solid; fabrics trap air. Insulation score 50/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.

Fire letter in editorial use: melts and drips unless FR. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.

How it is made and used

Origin: Whinfield & Dickson 1941 / DuPont Dacron, United Kingdom / US. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: nylon.

Market and circularity

Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.

Circularity mark 34/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.

Profil

Résistance 58

Résistance à la chaleur 42

Performance au feu 24

Isolation 50

Ouvrabilité 88

Circularité 34

Questions fréquentes

Is Polyester non-combustible?

Declared reaction class in this atlas: melts and drips unless FR. Assemblies still need resistance tests.

Does Polyester insulate?

Thermal mark 50/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: low solid; fabrics trap air.

What is the density band?

~1.38 g/cm³

How is it made?

Origin story: Whinfield & Dickson 1941 / DuPont Dacron (United Kingdom / US).

Can it be recycled?

Circularity mark 34/100 — editorial, route-specific.

Typical melting or failure heat?

~250–260 °C

What should it be paired with?

nylon: The polyamide rival: tougher wet, different dye class.

Where is it specified?

Buildings, transport, energy and consumer goods — see the uses chapter.

Icônes

Terylene

United Kingdom · 1941–

Terylene is a reference point in the public image of Polyester.

Dacron sailcloth

United States · 1950s–

Dacron sailcloth is a reference point in the public image of Polyester.

Polar fleece

United States · 1980s–

Polar fleece is a reference point in the public image of Polyester.

PET bottle

United States · 1973–

PET bottle is a reference point in the public image of Polyester.

Suiting blend

Global · 1960s–

Suiting blend is a reference point in the public image of Polyester.

Seat belt HT

Global · 1960s–

Seat belt HT is a reference point in the public image of Polyester.

Geotextile

Global · 1970s–

Geotextile is a reference point in the public image of Polyester.

rPET jersey

Global · 2000s–

rPET jersey is a reference point in the public image of Polyester.

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Duels

Même famille, autres notes — choisissez un duel.

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Polyester vs Coton

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Matériaux proches

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🎽Polyester

Repères