The textile industry is one of the biggest industries in the globe. There is an abundance of natural and man-made fibers that have been introduced to the market and have made tremendous growth-Polyester and cotton are some of the most demanded textile products for industrial and other applications.
Polyester vs Cotton
The main difference between polyester and cotton is that polyester is a man-made fiber. On the other hand, cotton is a natural fiber. Cotton is extracted from a plant, whereas polyester is made using chemicals and man-made techniques. They differ from each other in various aspects such as source, quality, features, durability, etc.
Polyester is a man-made fabric that is generally derived from petroleum. It is chemically classified as a polymer that is composed of the compounds of the ester functional group. Generally, polyester fibers are composed of ethylene which is a constituent of petroleum. It is one of the most popular textiles. It is demanded worldwide for consumer and industrial applications.
Cotton is a natural fabric that is widely used everywhere for various purposes. It is an organic fabric which denotes that it does not consist of any synthetic compounds. It is extracted from the surrounding seeds of the cotton plant. The seeds of the cotton plant emerge in a fluffy and round formation around the plant when they get matured.
Comparison Table Between Polyester and Cotton
What is Polyester?
Polyester is an artificial fiber that is derived from the chemical composition of elements. It is derived from the chemical reaction of petroleum, air, and water. The scientific name of polyester is ‘Polyethylene Terephthalate.’
Polyester is thermoplastic in nature. Being thermoplastic means that it can be melted and reformed. It consists of terephthalic acid and mono ethylene glycol.
There are various steps included in the composition of the polyester. Chemists melt the polyester pellets, which are then passed through spinnerets (small holes). The solidification of the polyester fibers takes place at the exit side of the spinnerets after the passage from the small holes. A solid polymer is formed after the passage, and they have no void space in between them, and the size and shape of the polymers depend upon the composition of the spinnerets.
Polyester comprises various properties. It is considered a durable fabric and lasts longer in comparison to other fabrics available in the industry. Due to its durability, it is resilient and does not shrink after regular washes. It withstands wear and tears for a larger period.
Polyester is also stained resistant because the polymers composition of the polyester does not have any void space in between them, which makes it harder for the stain to penetrate the fiber. It also suffers a disadvantage due to the tight weave property because if the oil or any element penetrates inside the fiber, it is very difficult to remove the stain. It is also light weighted.
Polyester has some cons as well. The fiber being man-made can cause irritation problems to the sensitive skin. It is less breathable and is a synthetic fiber that is not purely soft. There are fewer variations on the colors and fabric uses of polyester.
What is Cotton?
Cotton is an organic fiber that is extracted naturally. It is extracted from the cotton plant that is grown annually. Cotton fibers are comprised of pure cellulose.
Cotton undergoes various steps before being finally converted into cloth. It grows as balls on the plant that is to be collected. Once collected, it undergoes the separation process known as ‘Ginning.’ Ginning is used to pull lint out of the seed. After the ginning process, it is converted into bales and sent to the textile mill to be converted into fabric.
Cotton serves various properties to its customers. Since cotton is naturally extracted from the cotton plant, it is very soft. It is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Large-scale laboratory testing has also certified that cotton decomposes very quickly.
One of the unique features of cotton is that cotton fibers increase and become stronger when it is wet. Cotton is also versatile. The versatility of cotton denotes that it can be spun into heavier fabrics such as canvas, denim, etc.
Cotton being a natural fiber, is very breathable and hypoallergenic. It is preferred for making products that are in direct contact with the skin because it is soft and does not lead to any allergic problems. It also helps in stabilizing the body temperature because it absorbs moisture.
Cotton also suffers some disadvantages. Cotton takes more time to dry because it absorbs and holds water easily. It also shrinks after the first wash. Being a good absorbent, it also stains very easily.
Main Differences Between Polyester and Cotton
- Polyester is a fabric that is extracted by a man-made process, whereas cotton is a fabric that is extracted from the seeds of the cotton plant.
- Polyester is less biodegradable, and it shows degradation in the initial stages and then does not decompose, whereas cotton is biodegradable and environment friendly, due to which it degrades easily.
- Polyester is not hypoallergenic and may lead to allergic problems, whereas cotton is hypoallergenic and is best suited for sensitive skin.
- Polyester is a fiber known to be water repellent and does not absorb moisture easily, whereas cotton is a good absorbent and absorbs moisture very quickly.
- Polyester is synthetic that may lead to sweating, whereas cotton is soft and leads to less sweating because of its absorbing capacity.
- Polyester is not preferred for summer seasons, whereas cotton is the most preferable fabric for summers.
- Polyester is heavier and denser, whereas cotton is considerably lighter in weight.
Conclusion
Polyester and cotton have initiated a huge market in the previous years. They have become some of the most demanded fabrics in the market as they serve multiple purposes in industrial applications. Their usage varies from apparel to homewares.
Both of the fabric is easily available in the market. They have variations in the quality, due to which there is a price variation in different qualities of fabrics. They are quite cost-effective. They both have several pros and cons.
Our preference for the fabric depends on our purpose for the purchase. The pros and cons of the several fabrics should be considered before making a choice. Polyester and cotton contribute a great part to the growth and profits of the textile industry.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221334371930096X
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0040517507080696