There are significant differences in the chemical structure between polypropylene fiber and polyester fiber. Polyester fiber is a type of polyester formed by the polycondensation of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and ethylene glycol (EG), while polypropylene fiber is a polypropylene fiber polymerized from propylene. This structural difference leads to variations in their physical properties and application fields. Below are the differences in their physical properties and application areas:
- Polyester has a higher initial modulus, providing better rigidity and resistance to deformation, while polypropylene has a lower initial modulus, making it suitable for applications requiring softness.
- Polypropylene offers superior abrasion resistance compared to polyester, making it ideal for environments with frequent friction.
- Polypropylene has poor moisture absorption, making it suitable for applications that require lightweight and waterproof properties.
- Polyester has better breathability and moisture absorption, but it may still not be ideal for applications requiring excellent breathability.
Polyester is widely used in clothing, home textiles, and industrial textiles, such as shirts, trousers, and bedding. Polypropylene, on the other hand, is primarily used for making ropes, fishing nets, filter fabrics, as well as applications that require lightweight, high strength, and chemical corrosion resistance.
There is also a difference in price. Due to the relatively expensive raw materials used in producing waterproof polypropylene, its production costs are higher compared to polyester, resulting in a relatively higher market price.
