Mylar vs. Polyester — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Mylar is a brand name for a specific type of polyester film known for its strength and durability, whereas general polyester is a broad category of polymers used in various fabrics and plastics.
Difference Between Mylar and Polyester
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mylar is a polyester film developed in the 1950s, primarily known for its high tensile strength and chemical stability, making it ideal for a variety of industrial and packaging applications. On the other hand, polyester refers to a group of polymers that are widely used in manufacturing textiles, where flexibility and resistance to wrinkles and shrinkage are valued.
Mylar films are characterized by their excellent insulation properties and barrier against gases and aromas, which is crucial for food packaging and electronic applications. Whereas, polyester fibers are prized in the textile industry for their high strength, durability, and resistance to stretching and shrinking, making them suitable for clothing and home furnishings.
Mylar is often used in specialty applications such as emergency blankets, archival storage, and balloons due to its reflective and barrier qualities. On the other hand, polyester is used more broadly in everyday products like clothing, curtains, and upholstery, highlighting its versatility.
The production process of Mylar involves stretching polyester film to create a material that is more heat resistant and less permeable than typical polyester materials. In contrast, polyester fibers can be engineered with various textures and properties, tailored for specific uses like athletic wear or fashion garments.
Mylar's unique properties include its ability to be metallized, which enhances its use in decorative applications and food packaging for better protection against light and oxygen. Polyester, however, is often blended with other fibers to enhance its properties, such as cotton for comfort or rayon for a silkier texture.
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Comparison Chart
Composition
Polyester film
Polymer fibers
Primary Use
Packaging, insulation, reflective materials
Textiles, clothing, furnishings
Heat Resistance
Higher heat resistance
Lower heat resistance compared to Mylar
Permeability
Less permeable
More permeable
Application Flexibility
More specialized uses
Broad range of applications
Compare with Definitions
Mylar
A form of polyester film known for its strength and durability.
Mylar is often used for making durable weather balloons.
Polyester
A versatile plastic that can be molded into various shapes.
Polyester resins are used in the manufacture of boat hulls.
Mylar
Reflective material used in insulation and emergency blankets.
Mylar blankets help retain body heat in cold climates.
Polyester
Material known for its durability and resistance to shrinking and stretching.
Polyester carpets are durable and easy to maintain.
Mylar
Polyester film used in capacitors and audio/video tapes.
Mylar is critical in the production of long-lasting audio tapes.
Polyester
Frequently blended with natural fibers to enhance comfort and usability.
Cotton-polyester blend fabrics are common in bed linens.
Mylar
A material used in archival storage to protect documents.
Mylar sleeves are essential for preserving historical papers.
Polyester
Used in the production of non-woven fabrics for hygiene products.
Polyester is used in disposable diapers for its absorbency.
Mylar
A polyester film that can be metallized for enhanced barrier properties.
Metallized Mylar is used in food packaging to prevent spoilage.
Polyester
A synthetic fiber produced from polymers, used extensively in clothing.
Polyester shirts are popular due to their wrinkle resistance.
Mylar
A polyester film.
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers that contain the ester functional group in every repeat unit of their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Mylar
A thin polyester film
Polyester
A synthetic resin in which the polymer units are linked by ester groups, used chiefly to make synthetic textile fibres.
Polyester
Any of numerous synthetic polymers produced chiefly by reaction of dicarboxylic acids with dihydric alcohols and used primarily as light, strong, weather-resistant resins in boat hulls, textile fibers, adhesives, and molded parts.
Polyester
A wrinkle-resistant fabric of fibers made from any of these resins.
Polyester
Any polymer whose monomers are linked together by ester bonds
Polyester
A material or fabric made from polyester polymer
Polyester
Of, or consisting of polyesters
Polyester
Any of numerous synthetic resins; they are light and strong and weather resistant
Polyester
A complex ester used for making fibers or resins or plastics or as a plasticizer
Polyester
Any of a large class of synthetic fabrics
Common Curiosities
What is Mylar primarily used for?
Mylar is primarily used in packaging, insulation materials, and specialty films.
How is polyester typically utilized?
Polyester is widely used in the textile industry for making clothing, curtains, and upholstery.
Is Mylar better than polyester for outdoor applications?
For certain applications requiring reflective properties and durability, such as emergency blankets or outdoor insulation, Mylar is more suitable.
What is the main environmental concern with using polyester in textiles?
The main concern is the release of microplastics during washing, which contributes to ocean pollution.
What are the environmental impacts of polyester?
Polyester, particularly when discarded, can contribute to microplastic pollution.
Is Mylar recyclable?
Mylar is recyclable, but the facilities capable of recycling it are less common than those for more standard plastics.
Can polyester be used for food packaging?
Polyester can be used in food packaging, especially when formed into films or coatings that improve its barrier properties.
What is the advantage of blending polyester with other fibers?
Blending polyester with other fibers can improve comfort, reduce cost, and enhance fabric properties like breathability.
How does the cost of Mylar compare to polyester?
Mylar tends to be more expensive due to its specialized production process and applications.
Can Mylar be used in clothing?
Mylar is generally not used in clothing due to its film-like nature, although it can be used in specialized apparel like space blankets.
Why is Mylar considered more heat resistant than polyester?
The manufacturing process of Mylar stretches the film, aligning the polymer chains, which increases its heat resistance.
How are Mylar and polyester produced?
Both are derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), but Mylar is specifically made by stretching polyester film to achieve its unique properties.
What are the common uses of Mylar in everyday products?
Common uses include balloons, emergency blankets, and archival products.
Is there a difference in the weight of Mylar compared to polyester fabrics?
Mylar is generally lighter and thinner than most polyester fabrics, suited for different applications.
Can Mylar be used in electronics?
Yes, Mylar is used in electronics, particularly in capacitors due to its excellent insulation properties.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
