#History of Polyester Fabric
This fabric was first discovered by a British chemist in 1941 and brought by DuPont to the United States. In the 1970s it began to be famous for being cheap, durable, and long-lasting. For that reason, polyester fabric and its mixtures have become the raw materials for clothing that are in great demand to this day.
#What is Polyester Fabric
In general, based on its raw materials, fabrics are divided into two groups, namely natural and synthetic fabrics. Natural fabrics use raw materials that come from nature. For example, cotton fabric, the raw material is cotton. Or rayon fabric, the raw material of which is wood. Synthetic fabrics are made from chemicals by humans using the help of technology. Polyester fabric is the term for synthetic fabrics made from polyethylene terephthalate / PET fibers (called polyester because PET is a polymer connected through ester functional groups).
#Characteristics and Properties of Polyester Fabric
Each fabric has its own character that distinguishes one from the other. There are several distinctive characters that are often the reason why you should choose polyester fabric.
1. Durable and Long Lasting
Because it is made of synthetic polyethylene terephthalate fiber, this fabric is strong and not easily torn. This fabric is also relatively resistant to abrasion and is not easily damaged by friction. So it is safe to wash using a washing machine.
2. Tends to Repel Water (Water Repellent)
Natural fabrics are very easy to absorb and hold water. While polyester tends to repel water or is water repellent. In some types of fabrics, this water repellent property is even strengthened by the addition of a coating that makes it truly waterproof or waterproof.
3. The shape is relatively fixed (not easy to shrink or wrinkle)
It is common knowledge that natural fabrics such as cotton will definitely experience significant shrinkage after being washed. Unlike polyester, the shrinkage rate is relatively small. In addition, polyester does not wrinkle easily so it looks neater.
#Functions and Uses of Polyester Fabric Based on Its Characteristics
Considering that this material is abrasion resistant, it is widely used for outdoor and military clothing / clothing. In addition, because it does not easily absorb water and dries quickly, this material is also suitable for making climbing clothes or cold climate clothes. Because the water that is absorbed into the clothes can freeze into ice if exposed to cold temperatures and trigger hypothermia.
Polyester material coated (coating) waterproof is used as a raw material for making umbrellas and raincoats. However, because it is waterproof, it is less breathable. So it is hot and sticky if worn for too long.
Polyester fabric combined with a little cotton is usually also widely used for making uniforms. The uniforms (PDH or PDL) that are worn can still be comfortable (because there are cotton fibers) but also neat and pleasing to the eye because they do not wrinkle easily.
#Types of Polyester Fabrics in Indonesia and Their Applications
Friends who do a lot of outdoor activities must have often heard of taslan, despo, ripstop, and parachute fabrics. Taslan coating fabric (balloon taslan) is widely used to make raincoats. In addition, taslan and despo are often used to make outdoor jackets. While ripstop material is more widely used as a material for mountain pants and jungle hats. While parachutes are more often applied to make umbrellas, windbreaker jackets, and car and motorcycle covers. Recently, parachute material is also often used to make shopping bags or folding shopping bags because of its characteristics which are light, thin, but strong.
In addition, there are also several fabrics that are generally made with cotton fibers, but currently polyester versions are also made. For example, canvas and drill fabrics. Polyester canvas fabrics are widely used for tote bags, goodie bags, wallets, hats, and crafts. Polyester drill fabrics are usually used for student PDL shirt uniforms and alma mater jackets. In addition, it can be used to make hat and bag crafts.
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