Elastane is a synthetic fiber, namely segmented polyurethane. Very often you can find the names "spandex" and "lycra". In its pure form, the material is practically not used.
Elastane is a matter that is almost never used in its pure form. It is mixed with other fabrics of artificial or natural origin used in the manufacture of various products. This allows you to improve the appearance of the products, extend the life of the product.
About the history of the material. Elastane - what kind of material?
The history of elastane began in the mid-twentieth century. The homeland of the material is the United States, a small state of Delaware. Elastane is material that was developed by the American scientist Joseph Shivers. Initially, the fabric was the basis for the production of women's corsets. Only from the sixties it began to be used in the production of various items of clothing for sports. Since the seventies of the twentieth century, the material began to be used for the manufacture of casual clothes.
Currently, there are many registered trademarks manufacturers engaged in the production of elastane. Separately, it is worth highlighting the most popular and largest:
- Lycra and Elaspan - materials from the American company Invista;
- Japanese-made Dorlastan;
- linel (production based in Italy).
To date, the material is extremely in demand among clothing manufacturers due to its excellent properties and high wear resistance.
Production Features
Elastane is a material; flexible segments are a part. They are interconnected by rigid ligaments. This explains the good ability of the material to stretch.
This fabric is artificial. That is why you can get a cloth for clothes only in a laboratory. There are several ways to produce elastane:
- chemical formation;
- formation from solution (dry or wet);
- extrusion from a polymer melt.
After the filaments have solidified, they are bundled, washed and then dried. And only after the completion of all the above manipulations, the threads are rolled into reels.
Material advantages
The demand for elastane is due to many indisputable advantages:
- Elasticity. The material stretches perfectly, is able to increase in length by more than eight times. If necessary, the fabric in an instant returns to its original form.
- Strength and wear resistance of elastane makes it popular to use the material as an additional component of products. The fabric extends its service life by more than two times.
- The maximum density is 1.3 g / cc. That is why the fabric has a stretch effect, which allows products to fit the figure, emphasizing all the bends.
- Lightness of the material is also an indisputable advantage.
- Elastane is nice to the touch. It does not cause irritation or discomfort.
- Thin structure allows you to add it to any other materials.
- One of the main advantages of the material is its ability to pass air. This allows the body to breathe.
- Ease of care. Things with the addition of lycra do not need ironing.
- Pollution from elastane is washed off quite easily. Stains are washed off even in cold water. To completely get rid of pollution, just rub the stain.
Due to the described advantages, elastane is widely used in the manufacture of clothing and other wardrobe items.
disadvantages
Like any material, elastane also has disadvantages. Of the weaknesses of the material it is worth highlighting:
- instability to chlorinated water;
- intolerance to direct sunlight.
Even a short exposure to the sun can lead to fading of the material. In addition, despite the pleasant appearance and softness, elastane, due to its artificial origin, can cause an allergic reaction.
Application area
The material is quite popular in the manufacture of clothing. Elastane is added to natural and artificial fabrics when sewing all kinds of wardrobe items. Most often, the fabric is added to cotton, silk and knitwear. In addition, often polyester and elastane are used for the manufacture of materials at the same time. Less often, the latter is added as a constituent component to the flax.
Its share in the main raw material can be from five to thirty percent. The higher the percentage, the greater the density of the material.
Elastane is very popular in the production of a large number of items of clothing and accessories. It is used for the manufacture of everyday clothes: skirts, turtlenecks, T-shirts, shorts, and is also added as a component in the production of jeans. Lycra is used for the manufacture of festive wardrobe items, clothes for carnivals and masquerades, as well as for circus and dance costumes.
Elastane is used in the production of work clothes and tracksuits. For the manufacture of hosiery, lycra is also often used. This component gives shine to women's tights and stockings, and securely fixes them on the woman’s leg. Products without lycra look unpresentable and constantly "go down" down.
Care
In the reviews, many note that elastane is a fairly unpretentious fabric. As a rule, each product has special tags that indicate the conditions of care and use of the garment. If you follow the recommendations, a thing with the addition of elastane will last more than one year.
Hand wash at room temperature is preferred. Washing in the washing machine is possible only with gentle operation. Care should be taken during drying. Categorically it is not recommended to unscrew products strongly. This can ruin his appearance. During washing, it is best to abandon the use of conditioners and bleaches. Colored items must be washed separately from plain and light wardrobe items.
Dry products made of elastane in a horizontal position to avoid loss of shape. It is necessary to iron linen in the delicate mode. It is best to refuse to store things on a coat hanger. This may contribute to permanent deformation of the product.
Conclusion
Not many people are wondering what kind of fabric is elastane, and what determines its popularity. This material is used as an additional component to other tissues. Caring for artificial material does not require much effort. It is enough to follow simple rules.
Things from lycra are very popular among consumers, have excellent reviews. Elastane retains color even after repeated washes.