What is spandex fabric?
Spandex is known as elastane, it’s also famous as the brand name Lycra. Spandex is a type of synthetic fiber, deriving from petroleum, coal, and additives. It’s well known as its very great elasticity feature. The spandex fabric can stretch 5 to 8 times from the original. And recover to its original shape. So this ability make spandex fiber become the most elastic fabric in the apparel industry today.
The spandex fabric can provide great elasticity and recovery. According to a practical study, spandex can withstand a tensile force of up to 500% of its original length without breaking or stretching. Thus allowing wearer to move freely without any restriction. And giving a freedom and comfortable feeling as well as a snug fit feeling. At the same time to provide optimal support for every movement. So elastane fabric an essential material for sportswear, activewear, gym wear and swimwear as well as some form-fitting apparel. You can see commonly that many garments label has spandex compsoition. The percent is 5-50%, like 95% cotton 5% spandex, 82% polyamide 18% spandex, 92% polyester 8% spandex.
How is spandex fabric made?
It is dry spinning, where the polymer solution is through tiny holes in a spinneret to create long and continuous fibers. Then, stretch and heat these fibers to align the molecules. Thus giving spandex its characteristic stretch and recovery properties. The fiber is lightweight, breathable, and high elastic. So it makes spandex fabric ideal for activewear and form-fitting garments.
What is History of Spandex?
Chemist Joseph Shivers invented spandex at DuPont in 1958. Spandex quickly became famous among garment industry because of its excellent elasticity and strength. Thus making it a popular choice for athletic wear and other stretch garments.
What is other basic features of Spandex fabric?
Softness and Durability
Imagine you wear the ready-to-wear with spandex fabric, you can feel great softness and lightness of this material. In Addition, spandex is resistant to body oils, perspiration, and detergents. Making spandex become a durable and long-lasting material.
The results of tensile strength testing shows the fabric’s durability and toughness. We can easily see that after times of washing, spandex fabric keep shape. Unlike fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, and so on, spandex will not become stiff, pilling, or lint.
Skin-friendly
Spandex fabric’s another big advantage is its skin-friendly. Comparing with natural fiber, they are not that skincare but OEKO-TEX certified. And it’s cost effective than natural fiber like cotton bamboo. Although spandex fiber is a synthetic fiber, spandex is less irritating to the skin than other synthetic materials.
Anti-static
Many customer who prefers mositure wicking and quick dry peformance. Or anti-static in dry climate. Spandex fabric will be a good choice. Not matter in hot summer or cice winter, it keeps you comfort all day.
Spandex Fabric’s Disadvantage
Although spandex is famous for its stretch, this stretch is limited with time, wear and wash. It will be less recovery after repeat washing and wear over time. In addition, it is also not a sustainable material due to its synthetic nature. Spandex is lack of biodegradability, so it will not that friendly to the environment. Fortunately, recycled yarn can reduce the problem influence.Thus reducing waste and recycle source to form a sustainable development.
