PTMT

PTMT Full Form:

Polytrimethylene Terephthalate

What is PTMT?

The term PTMT stands for polytrimethylene terephthalate. It is a polyester material that was synthesized and patented in 1941. The method of production is condensation polymerization. The monomers that make up the structure of PTMT are 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid. The chemical formula for this substance can be given as (C11H10O4)n.

Similar to the major use of polyethylene terephthalate, this material is also used in manufacturing carpet fibers. The value of this material is enhanced in commercial scale due to more economical and efficient methods of producing 1,3-propanediol. This development has allowed this polymer to effectively compete with other similar polymers such as PBT and PET, which are two polyester materials.

How is PTMT made?

This polymer, like the ubiquitous poly(ethylene terephthalate), is made by esterifying 1,3-propanediol (HO(CH2)3OH) with terephthalic acid (C6H4(COOH)2) or transesterifying dimethyl terephthalate.

PTMT is made by polycondensing trimethylene glycol with either terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate. Trimethylene glycol is now commercially producible via ethylene oxide hydroformulation, allowing for the cost-effective production of PTT. PTT has an odd number of methylene units (three) between each of the terephthalates, whereas PBT and PET have even numbers. The odd number of methylene units alters the physical and chemical structure of PTT, allowing it to have elastic recovery that exceeds that of PBT or PET and approaches that of nylon.

PTMT uses/forms

PTMT is commonly used to manufacture-