Did you know that sublimation Polyester fabric is the number one man-made fiber used in fabrics worldwide? The textile industry was transformed with the discovery of polyester in the 1940s. Today this versatile synthetic fabric is used in clothing, outerwear, upholstery and home décor, sails and outdoor covers. In this fabric guide, we’re going to take a closer look at polyester.

Polyester was discovered by a group of British chemists working at the Calico Printer’s Association of Manchester, England. They were interested in the work of W.H. Carothers, the chemist who discovered nylon, the first synthetic fiber. Stemming off of Carothers’ research, the British chemists patented the first polyester in 1941 under the name Terylene. Soon after in America, DuPont purchased the rights to Terylene and began manufacturing its own version of polyester, which debuted in 1951 under the name Dacron.

Polyester is made from acids and alcohols that are derived from petroleum. The fiber’s name comes from its makeup of many (poly) common organic compounds (esters). Polyester can also be derived from recycled materials. The specific processes for creating polyester are not known, as companies keep them secret to remain competitive. There are many different forms of polyester specific to its end use. A version referred to as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is the most common.

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