Polybutylene terephthalate

Polybutylene terephthalate
Names
IUPAC name
Poly(oxy-1,4-butanediyloxycarbonyl-1,4-phenylenecarbonyl)
Identifiers
24968-12-5 Yes
ChemSpider  
Properties[1]
(C12H12O4)n
Melting point 223 °C (433 °F; 496 K)
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is a thermoplastic engineering polymer that is used as an insulator in the electrical and electronics industries. It is a thermoplastic (semi-)crystalline polymer, and a type of polyester. PBT is resistant to solvents, shrinks very little during forming, is mechanically strong, heat-resistant up to 150 °C (or 200 °C with glass-fibre reinforcement) and can be treated with flame retardants to make it noncombustible.

PBT is closely related to other thermoplastic polyesters. Compared to PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT has slightly lower strength and rigidity, slightly better impact resistance, and a slightly lower glass transition temperature. PBT and PET are sensitive to hot water above 60 °C (140 °F). PBT and PET need UV protection if used outdoors, and most grades of these polyesters are flammable, although additives can be used to improve both UV and flammability properties.

Applications

Polybutylene terephthalate is used for housings in electrical engineering, but also in automotive construction as plug connectors and in households for example in showerheads or irons. It is also found processed into fibers in toothbrushes and is used in the keycaps of some high end computer keyboards because the texture is highly resistant to wear.

PBT can also be made into yarn. This has a natural stretch similar to Lycra® and can be incorporated into sports wear. Due to its chlorine resistance it is commonly found in swimwear.[2]

Trade names

References

  1. ↑ Polybutylene-terephthalate on Britannica
  2. ↑ http://www.macrointlco.com/category/19/PBT.html

External links