There are hundreds of varieties available in textiles. Polyester and microfiber are two different textiles used in many industries for distinct purposes. Clothing sectors depend mainly on polyesters for their distinct production. Microfibers are used to make house-holding fibres.
Key Takeaways
- Polyester is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum-based chemicals.
- Microfiber is a polyester with finer fibers, providing a softer, more absorbent material.
- Both materials are durable, easy to maintain, and resistant to wrinkles and shrinking.
Polyester vs Microfiber
The difference between polyester and microfiber is their size. Polyester is heavier when compared to microfiber. Polyester is two times more substantial than microfibre. When compared to polyester, microfibre is a more breathable textile. Polyester is more strong and more resistant, but microfibre is less durable. Polyester is cheaper when compared to microfibre. Polyester is derived from petroleum products, whereas microfiber is derived from polyester.
Polyester has come under the polymers category. It contains an ester functional group in the main chain, so it has the name polyester. Polyethene terephthalate is a specific material present in polyester.
The chemicals that occur naturally in plants and insects and in synthetics, like poly butyrate, are present in polyester. There are biodegradable polyesters are available.
Those are natural polyesters. But in clothing, synthetic polyesters are used widely. Synthetic polyesters are non-biodegradable.
Microfiber is originated from polyester and nylon clothes. They are the finest synthetic fibre, around one decimeter in size. In simple, it is about the one-fifth diameter of the human hair.
Microfibers are produced from polyesters and polyamides. The mixture of polyester, polyamides, and polypropylene is also microfiber.
To produce mats, knits, and other household essentials, microfiber is in the first place. Microfiber has a specific shape, characteristics, and toughness. Microfiber is also used to make traditional accessories.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Polyester | Microfiber |
|---|---|---|
| Softness | Polyester is stiffer | Microfiber is soft |
| Moisture | Polyester is water repellent | Microfiber can absorb water |
| Texture | Polyester is tough and artificial | Microfiber is smooth and silky |
| Breathe | Polyester is not breathable | Microfiber is breathable |
| Durable | Polyester is durable | Microfiber is not as durable |
What is Polyester?
Polyester has come under the polymers category. It contains an ester functional group in the main chain, so it has the name polyester. Polyethene terephthalate is a specific material present in polyester.
The chemicals that occur naturally in plants and insects and in synthetics, like poly butyrate, are present in polyester. There are biodegradable polyesters are available.
Those are natural polyesters. But in clothing, synthetic polyesters are used widely. Synthetic polyesters are non-biodegradable.
Polyesters are mixed with spin to produce blended clothes, which gives natural fibres. Many industries use cotton polyester for its tear-resistant feature. Synthetic fibres are highly resistant to water and the environment.
These reasons make synthetic polyester are artificial. Polyesters derived from plants are less resistant to water and the environment than synthetic polyesters.
The plant-derived polyesters are melted when ignited. Since polyester is derived from petroleum, they are carbon-intensive.
Polyesters are also available in liquid crystalline. It is the first industrially used polyester. Liquid crystal polyesters are high resistance to heat and have complex mechanical properties.
In the period of origin of life, natural polyesters have a significant role. In simple prebiotic conditions, the long chain of polyesters is activated by a small number of catalysts.
Many kinds of polyesters are used in recycled products, and reproducible polyesters are available. Million tons of polyester are produced and sold worldwide.
What is Microfiber?
Microfiber originated from polyester and nylon clothes. They are the finest synthetic fibre around one decitex in size. In simple, it is about the one-fifth diameter of the human hair. Microfibers are produced from polyesters and polyamides.
The mixture of polyester, polyamides, and polypropylene is also microfiber. To produce mats, knits, and other household essentials, microfiber is in the first place. Microfiber has a specific shape, characteristics, and toughness.
In 1950, the thinnest microfiber are started producing in the market. Several techniques, like spinning and flash spinning, are used to produce the thinnest microfiber. In the initial period, only a few applications are available for the production of microfibers.
Later many applications are in use for the production of the thinnest microfiber. Dr Miyoshi Okamoto is a Japanese scientist who finds many techniques to produce the thinnest microfiber.
In those techniques, Ultrasuede is one of the famous techniques or applications. In 1990, microfiber was first published in Sweden. In many ways, microfibers are used. In the production of athletic wear, cycling jerseys, microfibers have a significant role.
Microfiber can absorb water easily, so it is used in the production of those clothes. Microfiber is a good elastic maintainer, so it gives a perfect shape to the body. This is also the reason for people who choose microfiber.
It is also used in swimsuits and many household essentials. Microfiber is expensive when compared to polyester clothes. Cleaning cloths are also made with microfiber for easy absorption of water.
Main Differences Between Polyester and Microfiber
- Polyesters originated from petroleum products, whereas microfiber originated from polyester and nylon.
- Polyesters are used in our fashion, and microfiber is used in household accessories.
- Polyester clothes are artificial, and microfiber cloth feels soft and warm.
- Polyester is water-repellent, whereas microfiber absorbs water efficiently.
- Polyester is stiffer when compared to microfiber.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749119309194
- https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09556220010371711/full/html
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
