It may be something new to most people to hear about "polyethylene terephthalate" but when you learn about the products made out of this thermoplastic polymer you'll discover it is common. If you want to know some basic information about such a commonly used plastic, read on.
The truth is that PET is a kind of polyester and it is in fact the most common type of polymer in the family of polyester. This particular thermoplastic is one that is a polymer which enables you to mold it once heated to a certain temperature. Several types of thermoplastic can be found and most of them are used in creating custom thermoplastic packaging for several different use including customized food packaging and retail product packaging and a variety of other types of custom thermoform packaging.
Also commonly known as PET or PETE, polyethylene is mainly used in making food, beverages and liquid containers. PET is commonly used to make majority of the water bottles and soda bottles too. Since it is water resistant it can hold liquid effectively hence manufacturers turn to use this plastic for such. Transportation is easier and cheaper because it can be quite lightweight.
Other products created by using PET include the sails for sailboats, although in this case the product is usually called by the brand name Dacron. Dacron also is used to make all sorts of polyester clothing. While both a water bottle and a piece of clothing can be made from polyethylene terephthalate, although the polymers are processed differently depending on what products will be made.
Most types of thermoplastics can be recycled, but PET bottles are the most commonly recycled type of thermoplastic. They are identified by a resin code of 1 or 01. Most recycling centers around the country will accept bottles and containers with this resin code. Sadly many of these PET bottles are not recycled and end up in landfills. Some states offer a deposit return in order to encourage recycling.
Once they enter the recycling process, these PET bottles are chopped up into flakes and then reduced down to tiny pellets. This can be used to create polyester threads to make fabric and carpeting. PET also can be recycled and used to make strapping, new water or soda bottles and other plastic products.
The truth is that PET is a kind of polyester and it is in fact the most common type of polymer in the family of polyester. This particular thermoplastic is one that is a polymer which enables you to mold it once heated to a certain temperature. Several types of thermoplastic can be found and most of them are used in creating custom thermoplastic packaging for several different use including customized food packaging and retail product packaging and a variety of other types of custom thermoform packaging.
Also commonly known as PET or PETE, polyethylene is mainly used in making food, beverages and liquid containers. PET is commonly used to make majority of the water bottles and soda bottles too. Since it is water resistant it can hold liquid effectively hence manufacturers turn to use this plastic for such. Transportation is easier and cheaper because it can be quite lightweight.
Other products created by using PET include the sails for sailboats, although in this case the product is usually called by the brand name Dacron. Dacron also is used to make all sorts of polyester clothing. While both a water bottle and a piece of clothing can be made from polyethylene terephthalate, although the polymers are processed differently depending on what products will be made.
Most types of thermoplastics can be recycled, but PET bottles are the most commonly recycled type of thermoplastic. They are identified by a resin code of 1 or 01. Most recycling centers around the country will accept bottles and containers with this resin code. Sadly many of these PET bottles are not recycled and end up in landfills. Some states offer a deposit return in order to encourage recycling.
Once they enter the recycling process, these PET bottles are chopped up into flakes and then reduced down to tiny pellets. This can be used to create polyester threads to make fabric and carpeting. PET also can be recycled and used to make strapping, new water or soda bottles and other plastic products.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell loves writing about how stuff is made. To get further information about plastic thermoforming, or to find out more about thermoform plastics, please check out the Indepak website today.
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