Shrinkage and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) filaments treated with various organic solvents

The effects of a number of chemically nonreacting organic on shrinkage and stress–strain properties of preoriented semicrystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate) filaments have been studied. The changes in shrinkage and mechanical properties are found to be highly dependent on time and temperature, as well as on tension applied on the yarn during the treatment. The changes brought about by the solvents at lower temperatures (i.e., below 100°C) are either comparable with or more than those produced by thermal treatments in air or silicone oil above 200°C. The possibility of using slovent treatment for setting polyester for dimensional stability at low temperature as an alternative to the normal dry‐heat‐setting method has been discussed.