is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination with glass fiber.
•The term polyethylene terephthalate is a source of confusion because this substance, PET, does not contain polyethylene
•The majority of the world's PET production is for synthetic fibers (in excess of 60%), with bottle production accounting for around 30% of global demand.
•In the context of textile applications, PET is referred to by its common name, "polyester," whereas the acronym "PET" is generally used in relation to packaging.
Properties
•PET in its natural state is a colorless, semi-crystalline resin, and it is very lightweight.
•It makes a good gas and fair moisture barrier, as well as a good barrier to alcohol (requires additional "barrier" treatment) and solvents. It is strong and impact-resistant