Polyester is the most widely used synthetic fiber today. Polyester fabrics resist wrinkling, are easy to launder, they dry quickly and are resistant to stretching and shrinking. The polyester polymer is endlessly engineerable with many physical and chemical variations possible, which provides high versatility to fibers and yarns manufacturers. Polyester can be used in textile applications either as filament or staple fibers and very often it is blended with other types of fibers, natural or synthetic.

In fact, its versatility in blending is one of the unique advantages of polyester. While synthetic clothing in general is perceived by many as having a less-natural feel compared to fabrics woven from natural fibres (such as cotton and wool), polyester fabrics can provide specific advantages over natural fabrics, such as improved wrinkle resistance, durability and high color retention. As a result, polyester fibres are sometimes spun together with natural fibres to produce a cloth with blended properties. Synthetic fibres also can create materials with superior water, wind and environmental resistance compared to plant-derived fibres. Thus, blended fabrics are attractive, durable, and comfortable, retain their appearance well and are easy care. Their excellent performance has resulted in their wide-spread use and continued popularity. Frequently, spun yarns blended with cotton or rayon are finished to be durable press.

Uses – Polyester is used for the manufacture of both woven and knitted fabrics designated for a variety of applications. Woven fabrics are used in apparel, sheets, blankets, curtains and draperies, mattress ticking, table linens and upholstery fabrics. Filaments are used in sheer curtains.

Knit fabrics of polyester wear well, are comfortable, retain their appearance and are easy care. The first use of polyester filaments was in knit shirts for men and blouses for women. The use of filament polyester increased tremendously when textured yarns were developed. Both smooth and textured filaments are used in such career apparel as uniforms and in such furnishings as wrap-knit upholstery.

A third important use of polyester is in fiberfill, used in pillows, comforters, bedspreads, furniture padding and winter apparel. Industrial polyester fibers, yarns and ropes are used in tire reinforcements, fabrics for conveyor belts, safety belts, coated fabrics and plastic reinforcements with high-energy absorption. Other uses of polyester include nonwovens, tents, sails, seatbelts, etc.