Definitions of Resins - Thermoplastic Polyester (Saturated)

As molding and extrusion thermoplastic polyester compounds were introduced in the early 1970s, they quickly became important new members of the family of engineering thermoplastics. These linear polyesters are highly crystalline, hard, strong and extremely tough. The most familiar uses are soda bottles and textiles, but they are also used in X-ray film, magnetic tape (audio, video and computer); packaging; metallized film, strapping and labels. They form a family of polyesters in which the polyester backbones are saturated and hence unreactive. The most common commercial types are: PET (polyethylene terephthalate) produced by polycondensation of ethylene glycol [CH₂OHCH₂OH] with either dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) [C₆H₄(COOCH₃)₂] or terephthalic acid (TPA) [C₆H₄(COOH)₂]; and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) produced by the reaction of DMT with 1,4 butanediol [HO(CH₂)₄OH].