Triexta Fiber
(Polytrimethylene Terephthalate)
Properties
Polytrimethylene Terephthalate (PTT) was first synthezided and patented in 1941. The fiber has been officially recognized by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and named Triexta. It is a thermoplastic polyester fiber that can be spun into yarns that are used extensively in the carpet industry. The fiber is composed of terepthalic acid and 1,3-propanediol (PTT). Polyester fabrics and yarns made from this fiber are strong, very elastic (springs back into shape), and have high abrasion and wrinkle resistance.
Triexta combines some of the best properties of Nylon with those of conventional polyester (PET). For example, Triexta has the excellent elastic recovery1 and resilience of Nylon and its tensile strength is only slightly lower than that of PET fibers whereas its elongation at breaking point is slightly higher. However, PTT and PET are not as strong as nylon fibers.
Triexta (PTT) has many advantages over conventional polyester. For example, the fiber is much softer (wool-like feel), more resilient and holds dies much better. The fiber also has good stain-resistance and can be blended with natural and other man-made fibers.
| Tensile Strength (Tenacity) | Good |
| Wear Resistance | Good |
| Absorbency | Poor |
| Static Resistance | Poor |
| Heat Resistance | Fair to Good |
| Wrinkle Resistance | Excellent |
| Resistance to Sunlight | Good |
| Elasticity | Excellent |
| Resilience | Excellent |
COMMERCIAL Polyester Fibers
The main manufacturer of Triexta polyester fibers is DuPont. DuPont's Sorona® fiber is produced with up to 37% by weight of renewably-sourced, plant-based raw material.2
Applications
Triexta fibers are used in the apparel and home furnishing industry for many textile products like high-quality carpets, upholstery, sheets and pillow cases. The most important application of Triexta fibers is carpets. It has been shown that residential carpets made from Triexta fibers significantly outperform conventional polyester carpests in resilience and durability. The automotive industry is using Triexta fibers in mats and upholstery for autimotive interiors, and the clothing industry is using the fiber for high-quality swimwear and active wear.
Notes:
- Triexta fibers have a higher recovery from 20 percent elongation (almost 90 percent) then to Nylon 66, PBT, and PET fibers.
- The fiber was not produced on a large scale until the 1990s when Shell developed a low-cost method for the production of pure 1,3 propanediol (PDO).