Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCT) is a thermoplastic polyester formed from the polycondensation of terephthalic acid

Terephthalic acid

Terephthalic acid is the organic compound with formula C6H42. This colourless solid is a commodity chemical, used principally as a precursor to the polyester PET, used to make clothing and plastic bottles. Several billion kilograms are produced annually...

 and cyclohexylene-dimethanol.
Thus the chemical structure is similar to that of polyethylene terephthalate

Polyethylene terephthalate

Polyethylene terephthalate , commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P, is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination...

 (PET), with which it shares properties like dimensional stability and chemical resistance. PCT is also particularly resistant to high temperatures and hydrolysis. The melting point

Melting point

The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. At the melting point the solid and liquid phase exist in equilibrium. The melting point of a substance depends on pressure and is usually specified at standard atmospheric pressure...

 is 545 °F. Common brand names are Thermx (Ticona

Ticona

Ticona is an international manufacturer of engineering polymers. The company's head office is located at the Ticona/Celanese-Plant in Florence, Kentucky, USA, since 2005.-Company history:...

) and Eastar (Eastman).

Application

Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate has outstanding dimensional stability at excess temperatures (short-term up to 493 °F) making this material suitable for injection molding of thin-walled parts. PCT is frequently used for electronics components like plug connectors. PCT is also processed into filaments, fibers and fabrics that are used in industry as filters. The color stability and lower density are of advantage in other applications.

External links

• PCT using the example of Thermx (PDF)