Introduction

• A manufactured fibre in which the fibre forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer comprised of at least 85% of segmented polyurethane.

History

• First produced in 1959 by the Dupont company
• Spandex fibre has had a remarkable effect on the clothing we all wear.
• Spandex found its first use in ladies' foundation garments as a replacement for rubber.
• Today Spandex, is better known as elastane, and is on the leading edge of fashion for both women's and men's under-, inner-, outer-, and active wear.
• Spandex started a boom in the 1960s, ushering in an era of "comfortable, soft-support pantyhose and other intimate apparel."
• In 1968 the garments of the French Olympic ski team, were spandex
• In the 1970s, cyclists traded in their woollen shorts for "aerodynamic" spandex shorts, • By the 1980s, spandex had a commanding presence in hosiery,

Properties

• Can be stretched repeatedly and still recover to very near its original length and shape
• Generally, can be stretched more than 500% without breaking
• Stronger, more durable and higher retractive force than rubber
• Lightweight, soft, smooth, supple
• In garments, provides a combination of comfort and fit, prevents bagging and sagging
• Heat-settable — facilitates transforming puckered fabrics into flat fabrics, or flat fabrics into permanent rounded shapes
• Resistant to deterioration by body oils, perspiration, lotions or detergents
• Abrasion resistant
• When fabrics containing spandex are sewn, the needle causes little or no damage from “needle cutting” compared to the older types of elastic materials
• Available in fibre diameters ranging from 10 denier to 2500 denier
• Available in clear and opaque lustre

Disadvantages

• Spandex melts at 250 C (480F)