Elastane is particularly flexible and adjusts to the body very easily.
Elastane is a synthetic fiber that is characterized by its enormous elasticity . Also known as spandex (by the brand name Spandex ) or lycra (by Lycra , another commercial name), it is a material made from polyurethane that is used, among other things, to make clothing.
Invention
The invention of elastane is attributed to chemist Joseph Shivers , who worked for the DuPont company. In 1958 , Shivers created elastane and DuPont patented it under the name Lycra .
Therefore, elastane has been in the textile industry for more than half a century, especially in the field of sportswear but also in combination with other materials to make garments used on any occasion, such as jeans, more flexible. Note that 1 percent of this material is enough to provide its characteristic elasticity to a fabric that is initially rigid.
Obtaining
To obtain elastane, two prepolymers are combined, so it is not considered a fabric, although it is common to refer to it this way. The result is a polymer with a polyurethane structure. When manufacturing clothing, elastane is usually used in conjunction with other types of fibers.
Properties it provides
Clothing made with elastane, due to its properties, fits the body. The possibility of stretching garments up to 700% and recovering their original shape without deforming or suffering damage is one of the main advantages offered by the use of elastane in the textile industry. Furthermore, this stretching process can be carried out a large number of times throughout its useful life; This means that sooner or later it does not recover its original shape, but wear and tear takes a long time.
In addition to being very light and flexible, it has the characteristic of not absorbing moisture, something that makes elastane ideal for practicing sports is its good resistance to sweat . This also results in a very short drying time, perfect for garments that are used very frequently and must be washed every day, because this material does not require much heat to release moisture.
Compared to materials such as polyester or cotton, for example, elastane is more flexible, offers a more precise fit to the body, lasts longer and is more convenient if you want to use it for sports, especially outdoors subject to inclement weather. weather. Although it does not require high temperatures to dry, it does withstand high temperatures when washing, so it is not problematic at any stage of cleaning .
Disadvantages
So far we have mentioned several of its advantages, but, as well as its alternatives, elastane also has certain disadvantages. The first thing we can mention is that it tends to capture and retain odors , even though it does not do so with water. Returning to cotton, for example, it is convenient in this regard, which is why it should not be washed so frequently.
The sports textile sector offers many products made with elastane.
Above we talked about its high resistance to sweat, and this can be negative or positive, depending on the point of view from which it is analyzed. If the concentration of elastane is too high, then its degree of breathability is lower , which is why the skin cannot breathe easily and sweats more. This is not healthy for the body, and can lead to different disorders, starting with skin irritations.
Applications
Leggings, swimsuits, tights and other items are produced with elastane. Cyclists and professional swimmers , for example, often wear clothing made with elastane because of the benefits this material provides.