Polyester Usage for Automotive Applications

Abstract

Textile materials used in automobiles have a large contribution in the production of automobile carpets, seating fabrics, side, roof, floor and door panels, safety belts, tires, airbags, air filters, fuel filters, insulation materials and so on. Whereas these materials are largely manufactured by using man-made fibers, polyester (polyethylene terephthalate [PET]) is the predominant fiber used in the manufacturing of automotive textiles. This chapter deals with the use of polyester fiber in automotive applications in different forms such as knitted, woven and nonwoven textile structures and as a component of composite structures discussing the basic properties and performance aspects of the fiber.