Polytrimethylene terephthalate
Encyclopedia
Polytrimethylene terephthalate, or PTT, is a polymer
synthesized and patented in 1941. It is produced by a method called condensation polymerization
or transesterification
. The two monomer
units used in producing this polymer are: 1,3-propanediol
and terephthalic acid
or dimethyl terephthalate
. Similar to polyethylene terephthalate
, the PTT is used to make carpet
fibers.
PTT's value as a commercial polymer has improved lately, with the development of more economical and efficient methods to produce 1,3-propanediol (PDO) via continuous hydroformylation of ethylene oxide
. DuPont
is currently experimenting with the synthesis of PDO via bioplastic
routes, i.e. using corn
as the base material for PDO production. These developments may allow PTT to effectively compete against PBT
and PET
, two polyesters that have been far more successful than PTT to date.
On Friday, March 20th 2009, the Federal Trade Commission approved a subclass to traditional polyester called triexta. The PTT fiber that is currently used in Mohawk's SmartStrand carpet as well as Dupont uses with their brand Sorona, can now be labeled triexta. This is a departure from PTT being classified as traditional polyester, even though triexta will be a subclass to Polyester.
Triexta shares the chemical structure of polyester, but the similarities end there. Unlike traditional polyester carpet, triexta will have extreme durability, higher stain resistance and a texture that is much softer.
The FTC last approved an extension for residential carpet in 1959. The process of getting the FTC to approve the triexta polyester subclass was a joint effort between Mohawk Industries and DuPont. The process started back in 2006 and took nearly 3 years to be approved.
For years the carpet industry has dealt with the negative consumer perceptions of polyester carpet. Retailers and distributors are often caught in a debate with carpet consumers in which the flooring professional has to defend polyester. The new triexta subclass will allow Mohawk carpet retailers to promote the carpet and emphasize its superior qualities without having to defend against the negatives of traditional polyester.
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...
synthesized and patented in 1941. It is produced by a method called condensation polymerization
Step-growth polymerization
Step-growth polymerization refers to a type of polymerization mechanism in which bi-functional or multifunctional monomers react to form first dimers, then trimers, longer oligomers and eventually long chain polymers. Many naturally occurring and some synthetic polymers are produced by step-growth...
or transesterification
Transesterification
In organic chemistry, transesterification is the process of exchanging the organic group R″ of an ester with the organic group R′ of an alcohol. These reactions are often catalyzed by the addition of an acid or base catalyst...
. The two monomer
Monomer
A monomer is an atom or a small molecule that may bind chemically to other monomers to form a polymer; the term "monomeric protein" may also be used to describe one of the proteins making up a multiprotein complex...
units used in producing this polymer are: 1,3-propanediol
1,3-Propanediol
1,3-Propanediol is the organic compound with the formula CH22. This three-carbon diol is a colorless viscous liquid that is miscible with water.-Products:...
and terephthalic acid
Terephthalic acid
Terephthalic acid is the organic compound with formula C6H42. This colourless solid is a commodity chemical, used principally as a precursor to the polyester PET, used to make clothing and plastic bottles. Several billion kilograms are produced annually...
or dimethyl terephthalate
Dimethyl terephthalate
Dimethyl terephthalate is an organic compound with the formula C6H42. It is the diester formed from terephthalic acid and methanol. It is a white solid that melts to give a distillable colourless liquid.-Production:...
. Similar to polyethylene terephthalate
Polyethylene terephthalate
Polyethylene terephthalate , commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P, is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination...
, the PTT is used to make carpet
Carpet
A carpet is a textile floor covering consisting of an upper layer of "pile" attached to a backing. The pile is generally either made from wool or a manmade fibre such as polypropylene,nylon or polyester and usually consists of twisted tufts which are often heat-treated to maintain their...
fibers.
PTT's value as a commercial polymer has improved lately, with the development of more economical and efficient methods to produce 1,3-propanediol (PDO) via continuous hydroformylation of ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide, also called oxirane, is the organic compound with the formula . It is a cyclic ether. This means that it is composed of two alkyl groups attached to an oxygen atom in a cyclic shape . This colorless flammable gas with a faintly sweet odor is the simplest epoxide, a three-membered...
. DuPont
DuPont
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company , commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802 as a gunpowder mill by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. DuPont was the world's third largest chemical company based on market capitalization and ninth based on revenue in 2009...
is currently experimenting with the synthesis of PDO via bioplastic
Bioplastic
Bioplastics are a form of plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, pea starch, or microbiota, rather than fossil-fuel plastics which are derived from petroleum...
routes, i.e. using corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
as the base material for PDO production. These developments may allow PTT to effectively compete against PBT
Polybutylene terephthalate
Polybutylene terephthalate is a thermoplastic engineering polymer, that is used as an insulator in the electrical and electronics industries. It is a thermoplastic crystalline polymer, and a type of polyester...
and PET
Polyethylene terephthalate
Polyethylene terephthalate , commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P, is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination...
, two polyesters that have been far more successful than PTT to date.
On Friday, March 20th 2009, the Federal Trade Commission approved a subclass to traditional polyester called triexta. The PTT fiber that is currently used in Mohawk's SmartStrand carpet as well as Dupont uses with their brand Sorona, can now be labeled triexta. This is a departure from PTT being classified as traditional polyester, even though triexta will be a subclass to Polyester.
Triexta shares the chemical structure of polyester, but the similarities end there. Unlike traditional polyester carpet, triexta will have extreme durability, higher stain resistance and a texture that is much softer.
The FTC last approved an extension for residential carpet in 1959. The process of getting the FTC to approve the triexta polyester subclass was a joint effort between Mohawk Industries and DuPont. The process started back in 2006 and took nearly 3 years to be approved.
For years the carpet industry has dealt with the negative consumer perceptions of polyester carpet. Retailers and distributors are often caught in a debate with carpet consumers in which the flooring professional has to defend polyester. The new triexta subclass will allow Mohawk carpet retailers to promote the carpet and emphasize its superior qualities without having to defend against the negatives of traditional polyester.