CATIONIC DYEABLE POLYESTER (CD-PET)

MANUFACTURING OF CDPET:
Co polymerization of an isophthalic acid component containing a sulfonic acid group makes it possible
to use cationic dyestuffs for polyester staple fibres and filaments. Generally, the sodium salt of
5sulfoisophthalic acid (NaSIPA) is used as CD co monomer. A cationic or basic dyestuff contains amines
or ammonium groups or quaternary nitrogenheterocyclic.
Dyeing CDPET is an ion exchange process. The sodium cations (Na+) from CDPET are substituted by the
bigger dye cations, whereas the sodium ion enter into the dye bath. Thus, PET is chemically modified in
a manner that cationic dyestuffs can form a chemical complex with the fiber that is as shown in fig,
The chemistry of producing CDPET is complicated. The reason for difficulty is the acidic character of
NaSIPA, especially in connection with hydrolytic or glycolytic conversion. Therefore, after direct addition
of this salt into the PET esterification stage, the diethylene glycol (DEG) would reach a high level
because ether formation is acidcatalyzed. Additionally, the acidic character enhances the TiO2
agglomeration. The result is difficulty in the spinning process, and an excessively low melting point of
CDPET.
What is Cationic Polyester?
Cationic Polyester refers to cationic dyed (dyeable) polyester. The abbreviation of cationic polyester is
PBT or CDP.
PBT is a specialty or modified polyester, which is produced by charging macromolecules with the
cationic dyeable group. As a result, CDP can be dyed with cationic dyes at the temperature of 110℃.
The conventional polyester can only be dyed at a temperature of 130℃.

Why need CDP?

Polyester fiber belongs to the hydrophobic synthetic type. It lacks functional groups that can be
combined with direct dyes, acid dyes, and basic dyes. Although the ester group can form hydrogen
bonds with disperse dyes, the polyester molecular chain structure is tight, and the dye molecules are
not easy to enter the inside of the fiber. As a result, it is difficult for regular polyester fibers to be dyed,
and their color and luster are very monotonous.
Due to high crystallinity, there is only a small gap beside the polyester fiber. When the temperature is
low, the molecular thermal movement changes its position to a small extent. Under wet conditions, the
polyester fiber will not increase the gap by violent swelling like cotton fiber, so it is difficult for dye
molecules to penetrate into the fiber. Dyeing of polyester fibers is usually done only with disperse dyes
and must be under high temperature and pressure or with the help of a carrier.
From the above, we can see regular polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) has the disadvantage of low
moisture absorption, poor dyeing performance, easily accumulating static, and easily fuzzing. Cationic
polyester is designed to overcome these defects.

How to produce CDP?

Nowadays the commonly used method is adding dimethyl isophthalate with polarity-based SO3Na into
the polyester chips. The filament spinning from this way looks similar to the common one. However,
thanks to the use of ion modification, this method not only greatly improves the fiber color absorption
performance, but also reduces the crystallinity. As a result, the dye molecules are easy to penetrate into
the fiber. Then the dyeing property, color absorption, and hygroscopicity are remarkably improved.