There are several versions of polyester fiber available today, and this has created a significant amount of confusion. There is the traditional “old” polyester, PET polyester and PTT polyester. Most of the polyester carpets you see today are manufactured with PET fibers, which are produced from reclaimed plastic soda bottles. While it is true that today’s PET is better than the old polyester, it still brings the performance baggage for which polyester has always been known.
The biggest draw for PET carpets is price; they are inexpensive, compared to nylon. PET carpets when new also have a distinct luxurious and soft feel (often referred to as “hand”). Besides price and feel, PET carpets are highly resistant to water-based staining agents, and because they’re solution-dyed, are also amazingly colorfast. The biggest complaint against PET carpet is its tendency to crush and mat quickly, especially in areas of high traffic. In addition, oil-based stains are difficult and sometimes impossible to remove.
PTT, introduced by DuPont in 2000 is a new fiber sold under the trade name Sorona. Sorona is a unique fiber, containing 37% renewable resource content (corn-based) and carries claims of dramatic improvements in stain resistance and wearability, compared to older generations of polyester. In fact, those claims were so well documented in carpet construction that the FTC granted DuPont the new fiber name and classification, Triexta. Mohawk’s Smartstrand carpets are manufactured from this new triexta fiber.
Both Mohawk and DuPont are claiming that from test results and consumer reports, triexta carpets are performing every bit as well as nylon – yet still retaining the stain-resistance – and feel of polyester carpets.
