ABSTRACT
Polyester (chemical nomenclature-polyethylene terephthalate) fibers were first characterized in 1941 and have become the most widely produced synthetic fibers in the world. They are most familiarly known by the DuPont commercial name Dacron. The polymer is synthesized by a condensation reaction of derivatives of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, resulting in molecules that contain 80 to 100 repeat units (1). These molecules are then extruded through a plurality of holes (a spinneret) to produce multifilament yarns. Dacron yarns are further processed into various structures such as warp-knit, weft-knit, and
woven fabrics (2) and have excellent resiliency as well as resistance to a wide range of chemical and biological challenges.
