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Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resins and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) engineering resins are high-performance, high-molecular-weight materials that can be converted into functional components and parts that are in turn used in a diversified array of assemblies for automotive, electrical/electronic, appliance and industrial equipment applications. PBT resins and PET engineering resins share many of the same markets; however, PBT is consumed in much larger volumes than PET because of its easier processability and shorter processing times.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of polybutylene terephthalate:
Globally, the main applications for PBT are in automotive uses (accounts for about 50% of total consumption including electrical/electronic uses), while nonautomotive electrical/electronic uses account for about 25%. Automotive use has risen as a result of increases in the number of safety and user comfort elements in vehicles, such as airbags, collision warning systems, or various electric motors (e.g., for seating mechanisms). Automotive applications account for the largest use in North America, Europe and Japan, while electrical/electronic applications are most significant in Other Asia. Most PBT (70–80%) is compounded with glass fiber and other materials to optimize costs and modify properties. About 15% of PBT is consumed in alloys, particularly with PC or PET, although it can also be blended with elastomers. Most PC/PBT applications are in automotive bumper systems where they are used for fascias and beams.
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