Polyethylene terephthalate (sometimes written poly(ethylene
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 with glass fiber.
Depending on its processing and thermal history, polyethylene
terephthalate may exist both as an amorphous (transparent) and as a
semi-crystalline polymer. The semicrystalline material might appear
transparent (particle size < 500 nm) or opaque and white
(particle size up to a few microns) depending on its crystal
structure and particle size.