What is Polyester Fabric ?

Polyester is a synthetic fabric that’s usually derived from petroleum.
This fabric is one of the world’s most popular textiles, and it is used in thousands of different consumer and industrial applications.
It is a shortened name for a synthetic, man-made polymer, which, as a specific material, is most commonly referred to as a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
It is made by mixing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.

Polyester Fabric making

Image Reference - https://www.jcfa.gr.jp/english/seni/list/06.html

History

Polyester began as a group of polymers in W.H. Carothers' laboratory.
Carothers was working for duPont at the time when he discovered that alcohols and carboxyl acids could be successfully combined to form fibers.
Polyester was put on the back burner, however, once Carothers discovered nylon.
A group of Brittish scientists-J.R. Whinfield, J.T. Dickson, W.K. Birtwhistle, and C.G. Ritchie-took up Carothers' work in 1939.
In 1941 they created the first polester fiber called Terylene.
In 1946 duPont bought all legal rights from the Brits and came up with another polyester fiber which they named Dacron.
Polyester was first introduced to the American public in 1951. It was advertised as a miracle fiber that could be worn for 68 days straight without ironing and still look presentable.
In 1958 another polyester fiber called Kodel was developed by Eastman Chemical Products, Inc.
The polyester market kept expanding. Since it was such an inexpensive and durable fiber, amny small textile mills emerged all over the country-many located in old gas stations to produce cheap polyester apparel items.
Polyester experienced a constant growth until the 1970s when sales drastically declined due to the negative public image that emerged in the late 60s as a result of the infamous polyester double-knit fabric .
Today, polyester is still widely regarded as a "cheap, uncomfortable" fiber, but even now this image is slowly beginning to change with the emergence of polyester luxury fibers such as polyester microfiber.

What Makes it Stand Out

Durable and relatively inexpensive
It’s moisture-resistant
It retains its shape
Easy to look after
Resistant to shrining and stretching
Resistant to wrinkling and abrasions
It is a quick drying fabric
Can be blended with other fibers

Texture	Slightly coarse and rough to touch
Fall	Good drape
Shine	Shiny - Dull
Sheer	Transparent - Opaque

Applications & Usage

Fashion
Sportswear
Fleeces Coats and anoraks
Bedding such as sheets, duvet covers and sleeping bags
Footwear Fillings for duvets (due to its insulating properties)
Sewing threads
Soft furnishings and upholstery
Luggage and other bags

Apparel	Yes
Home Decor	Yes
Accessories	Yes

Printed Polyester fabric used for upholstery

Image Reference - https://www.pepperfry.com/blue-polyester-sofa-cover-by-house-of-quirk-1831038.html

Innovations

Notable transformation in the polyester fibers manufacturing domain was the evolution of the recycling process.
Recycled polyester, or rPET fibers, developed using PET or clear plastic water bottles as the raw material, have given apparel manufacturers an innovative and more sustainable source of material, that would otherwise go into landfills.
For instance, recycled polyester is used extensively in the production of textiles like fleece, preferred by outdoor clothing brands concerned with their ecological footprint.

Care Instructions

Turn polyester-knit garments inside out before washing to prevent snags.
Machine-wash polyester in warm water, using an all-purpose detergent.
Use a chlorine bleach if necessary. Fabric softener will reduce static electricity.
White polyester fabric will look even whiter if you soak it overnight in a mixture of 1/2 cup automatic dishwashing detergent and 1 gallon warm water.
Launder as usual, but add 1/2 cup vinegar to the final rinse.
Tumble-dry at a low temperature setting.
Do not overly dry polyester; this will cause gradual shrinkage.
Press polyester fabrics at a moderate temperature setting, or use steam.