Lycra is a synthetic fiber whose main property is elasticity. It is based on polyester (polyurethane yarn). Lycra appeared in 1958 in America. A little later, the Japanese began to produce it. Two years passed, and elastic matter conquered Europe.
People tend not to trust synthetics, and that's fine. But not all artificial fabrics are the same. Lack of information leads to the fact that a person refuses materials that became a breakthrough in the development of the textile industry. Today, manufacturers offer a lot of fabrics that have surpassed natural materials in their characteristics. Without some of them, we simply cannot imagine our life. In this article we will talk about what is lycra. About its properties and types.
Who invented lycra?
The American company DuPont first introduced the world of lycra. This is a material that appeared simultaneously with nylon, teflon, kevlar and lavsan. The manufacturer had the strongest influence in the world on the development of the chemical industry. Unfortunately, there is a negative side to this story. After conducting an audit called Toxic 100, it became clear that the company pollutes the environment more than others. These are the costs of civilization ...
What is lycra?
Lycra is a fiber that is made from polyurethanes. They are polymers. The atoms of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen assemble into groups and create macromolecules, from which the polymers are built. Scientists, changing the ratio of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, change the properties of the fibers that are obtained at the output.
Lycra is a fabric that is not produced in its pure form. The threads of this material are added to the composition of another matter. Such an additive is very light and thin. Therefore, according to the characteristics of the fabric, the properties of those fibers, which are larger in it, predominate. But at the same time, matter stretches well. Photo of lycra, or rather fabric with its admixture, you see below.
Properties of materials in the composition of which there is lycra
Synthetic fibers, when added to other materials, tend to improve their performance. This is due to their specific properties:
- The fabric with the addition of lycra threads is able to stretch 8 times and again return to its original shape. Products made from it are not deformed. Even with very strong stretching, everything returns to its place.
- A huge plus of matter, which includes lycra, is that it is very dirty. If a stain appears on the product, then synthetic threads repel it. Lycra prevents dirt from absorbing into the fabric. That is why all fabrics with lycra are easily washed.
- Lycra lets the fabric breathe! Underwear with the addition of such threads can be worn without fear, because in the composition of synthetic fabrics no more than 5%.
- The fibers of this synthetic material increase the life of things at least twice.
- Things that include lycra threads are not afraid of direct sunlight. They are not spoiled by salt water. Products can be washed an infinite number of times without fear that they will lose color
- Material that includes lycra does not crease. The main thing is to evenly hang things immediately after washing.
In Europe, Lycra received the name Elastane. In the USA it is called spandex.
Lycra disadvantages
The fabric, in which lycra threads predominate, does not warm. Lycra threads do not like contact with chlorine. With prolonged exposure to this active substance, the products cease to stretch.
Lycra in the composition of different fabrics
These synthetic threads are added to different fabrics. Let's consider some combinations:
- Footer is a type of fabric that has appeared relatively recently. The base for her are the lining threads. They are interlaced in a special way (without purl loops). The lining fabric is connected to the cotton base and processed in a unique way. In the process, lycra threads are added to the fabric. Footwear products have a lot of advantages. They pass air well, do not fade, do not stretch. The fabric is soft to the touch. The main advantage of the footer is that there are practically no leads on it.
- Rayon (with lycra). This is a material that belongs to the natural, although it was created chemically. The fact is that viscose is produced from cellulose (a raw material that is obtained from wood). Lycra is added to this fabric to make the product stronger. Viscose itself is hygroscopic; spools do not form on it as quickly as on natural cotton. Beautiful and light summer dresses, shirts, trousers, T-shirts, tracksuits are sewed from viscose.
- Ribana This material is most often used for sewing clothes for babies. Matter is pleasant to the touch and very light. It is a knitted fabric created using cross-knitting.
- Cotton (with lycra). By itself, 100% natural matter is very uncomfortable to wear. Despite the complete hypoallergenic and hygienic properties, wearing pure cotton is extremely uncomfortable. The fabric wrinkles very much, and a stain that appears accidentally will have to be washed for a long time. With the addition of lycra, the material is easy to iron, it keeps its shape well and does not wear out much longer.
So, it is now clear that products with lycra can be safely bought. A small percentage of synthetics will make our favorite clothes only better.
Application of lycra
Outfits sewn from lycra fabrics do not cause much trouble to their owners. From materials with synthetic threads sew:
- men's shirts that are easy to iron;
- women's underwear (lace, slimming, stretch);
- hosiery;
- jeans and other trousers that strongly fit the figure;
- medical products (bandages, fixatives);
- sportswear that should completely fit the figure;
- tight-fitting dresses.
How to care for things that contain lycra
Products in which lycra threads are present are just a gift for any housewife.
- They tolerate both hand and machine wash well. It is only necessary to ensure that the water temperature does not exceed 40 ° C. Hygiene procedures should be carried out with a delicate detergent.
- Do not tumble dry in the washing machine. Hang things in the wild.
- When ironing, turn the product inside out. It is better to set the silk mode on the iron.
- Special clothing, such as wetsuits, should never be left in the sun. A fabric with a high percentage of lycra deteriorates in direct sunlight. If the suit lies in the sun for half a day, then you may find that it has stopped stretching properly.
- Rinse with Lycra swimwear immediately after leaving the pool with soap. This can be done immediately in the shower, after class. The fact is that such fabrics do not tolerate chlorinated water very well. Due to frequent contact with this substance, the material may begin to wear out quickly. Swimwear that forget to rinse after classes in the pool quickly become unusable.
Synonyms of Lycra
- Spandex. If you see this name on the label, then know that we are talking about lycra. This name appeared due to the fact that the word "expands" (stretch) simply rearranged the letters.
- Lycra - is the property of the Invista brand. He used to be part of DuPont.
- Elaspan - also owned by Invista.
- Dorlastan is the name property of Asahi Kasei.
- Linel name belongs to the company Fillattice.
In Europe, Lycra received the name "elastane." In the USA it is called "spandex".
In the USSR (70s), a similar thread was used in the manufacture of fishing gear. Only she was much thicker than 2 mm. It was called "Hungarian" or "rubber band."
Lycra is a synthetics, the amount of which in the tissue varies depending on its purpose:
- From 1 to 5% - cotton knitwear for the manufacture of linen or children's clothing.
- From 5 to 10% - lace fabrics, materials for elegant products, thermal underwear.
- 20% - swimwear for swimming or sports.
- 30% is added to overalls for acrobats (tight knitwear).
- 40% Lycra is added in the manufacture of suits for divers.
- 50% of lycra consists of stockings and tights. Also from the fabric, which is half made of elastane, make bandages, compression products.
Conclusion
We hope the question no longer stands: "What kind of lycra fabric?" Women are more grateful to the inventors of elastane. If not for this synthetic admixture, then they would not have had elastic tights and stockings, tight-fitting sheath dresses, beautiful and wear-resistant swimwear, and much more.