Dacron Sanaz Leilabadi and Linda Edwards

Get to know Dacron Trade name for Polyethylene Terephthalate Trade name for Polyethylene Terephthalate aka PET, PETE, PETP aka PET, PETE, PETP Polyethylene Terephthalate is a resin of the polyester family that is used to make beverage, food and other liquid containers, synthetic fibers Polyethylene Terephthalate is a resin of the polyester family that is used to make beverage, food and other liquid containers, synthetic fibers Clear, tough plastic with good gas and moisture barrier properties Clear, tough plastic with good gas and moisture barrier properties

Chemically Speaking Condensation Polymer Polyethylene terephthalate is synthesized by transesterification of two monomers : Ethylene glycol and Dimethyl terephthalate +

Transesterification is used in the synthesis of polyester, in which diesters undergo transesterification with diols to form macromolecules. In our case, dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol react to form polyethylene terephthalate and methanol, which is evaporated to drive the reaction forward. Transesterification is used in the synthesis of polyester, in which diesters undergo transesterification with diols to form macromolecules. In our case, dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol react to form polyethylene terephthalate and methanol, which is evaporated to drive the reaction forward.

Catalysts Transesterification reactions are often catalyzed by the addition of an acid or base. Transesterification reactions are often catalyzed by the addition of an acid or base. Acids can catalyse the reaction by donating a proton to the alkoxy group, thus making it more reactive, while bases can catalyse the reaction by removing a proton from the alcohol, thus making it more reactive. Acids can catalyse the reaction by donating a proton to the alkoxy group, thus making it more reactive, while bases can catalyse the reaction by removing a proton from the alcohol, thus making it more reactive.

Polymer

Mechanism of Polymerization

History of Dacron PET: originally patented by British chemists PET: originally patented by British chemists – John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson in 1941 after early research by Wallace Carothers Dupont used its nylon technology to improve the polyester fiber that was patented by the British Dupont used its nylon technology to improve the polyester fiber that was patented by the British Dacron was created in 1950 by Dupont Dacron was created in 1950 by Dupont

What IS Dacron? What IS Dacron? A polyester fiber used in clothing. A polyester fiber used in clothing. A yarn used in: A yarn used in:  curtains  dress fabrics  high pressure fire hoses  men’s shirts  threads.

Dacron Products Boat sails Boat sails Antenna rope Antenna rope Climbing ropes Climbing ropes Foam covers Foam covers Carpets and textiles Carpets and textiles Furniture Furniture Luggage Luggage

Where can we find it?

Dacron in Medicine Cardiothoracic and Vascular grafts and implants Cardiothoracic and Vascular grafts and implants –Aneurysm repair (Thoracic and Abdominal Aorta) –Patch Angioplasty –Vascular grafts Strong, flexible and treated Strong, flexible and treated with collagen to keep blood from soaking through Chemically inert and thus well Chemically inert and thus well tolerated inside the body

Dacron- Then and Now Dacron has come a long way since 1950 Dacron has come a long way since 1950 More commonly used today thanks to new technology More commonly used today thanks to new technology Price range varies depending on the product it as been made into Price range varies depending on the product it as been made into Intrinsic viscosity (thickness) of ~0.60 (fibers) Intrinsic viscosity (thickness) of ~0.60 (fibers) –PET can range up to ~0.85 for tire cord

Recycling Dacron Methanolysis is an example Methanolysis is an example of reverse transesterification of reverse transesterification and has been used to recycle and has been used to recycle polyesters into individual monomers polyesters into individual monomers Fully recyclable- when needed Fully recyclable- when needed Its polymer chains can be recovered for reuse. Its polymer chains can be recovered for reuse.

Health Effects One study showed that after imbedding polymer films of Dacron in rodents there was evidence of some malignant tumor formation, study was later deemed inadequate One study showed that after imbedding polymer films of Dacron in rodents there was evidence of some malignant tumor formation, study was later deemed inadequate Further research shows no short term or long term toxicity with use of Dacron Further research shows no short term or long term toxicity with use of Dacron However, strong evidence of nausea, vomiting, central nervous system paralysis and kidney damage with prolonged exposure to ethylene glycol However, strong evidence of nausea, vomiting, central nervous system paralysis and kidney damage with prolonged exposure to ethylene glycol

Dacron Properties High tensile strength, high resistance to stretching, both wet and dry, and good resistance to degradation by chemical bleaches and to abrasion which is why it is preferred for surgical use High tensile strength, high resistance to stretching, both wet and dry, and good resistance to degradation by chemical bleaches and to abrasion which is why it is preferred for surgical use High melting temperature of 496 degrees Fahrenheit (256 degrees Celsius), due to cross-linkage in synthesis of the fiber. High melting temperature of 496 degrees Fahrenheit (256 degrees Celsius), due to cross-linkage in synthesis of the fiber.

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