Spandex: features, specifications, selection and care tips

Spandex is the joint name for several varieties of polyurethane elastic threads. The second name of the material is elastane, although this is a more specific name. According to the story, initially the raw materials obtained for the first time should have been used as rubber for the military industry, however, the fabric turned out to be very strong and possessed reducing properties, and then spandex received a wider scope.

Spandex combines all types of synthetic polyurethane yarns. According to its description, the structure is a knitted product, very dense, elastic, with a specific radiance. Despite its exponential strength, it is a very lightweight canvas. Natural raw materials have a white color, but the fibers are dyed quite well, because on the world market spandex is offered in a very wide color variety, often in bright and saturated colors.

Often spandex is also called elastane or lycra. In fact, this definition is true, but you should know that spandex is a more general concept.Both elastane and lycra belong to the group of polyurethane threads, but elastane is a knitted thread made using a special “wet” technology, and lycra is one of the varieties of elastane, but it is produced using the “dry” method. However, a person who is little familiar with textile products will not notice the difference in these varieties. In addition, Lycra is a trademark of an American company, and representatives of this company are often unhappy if any kind of spandex is called lycra.

You can not call spandex a single specific substance, it is a group of polyurethane materials. The basis of the canvas is nylon, acetate and other types of polymer elements. 85% of the composition is occupied by polyurethane, which practically makes it impossible to use the material in its pure form, therefore, usually spandex serves as raw material for the manufacture of textile products and is included in the composition of natural fabrics or synthetics. More often it is cotton, silk, polyamide, polyester. Any material containing elastane is filled with a beautiful sheen., gets smooth and can stretch five times its size.

One of the unique properties of spandex is its resistance to pollution. The threads do not absorb the dyes of household dirt, and therefore any stains are easily cleaned without residue. However, when sewing spandex products, problems may arise, only a professional will cope with this task. It is unacceptable to use pins for sewing - only pencil and chalk, and in the process of sewing, use a specialized needle for knitwear or stretch material. Another property that is inconvenient for working with fabric is the ability to shrink up to 50%; therefore, it is recommended to soak and dry it before sewing.

If the store liked the spandex dress, then keep in mind that this outfit is suitable only for short-term wear. For example, you can wear it for one evening. This is because being in such a dress for a long time is rather uncomfortable, the sensations in it resemble a “synthetic captivity”, and the evening can be ruined. Therefore, often spandex is used for tailoring narrowly oriented things and professional suits.

By acquiring material for which spandex partially served as raw material, it is worth knowing about the advantages of the product, which provides the inclusion of elastane:

• the fabric is very light, but at the same time durable;
• the material practically does not respond to the effects of sweat;
• it is a very strong and flexible canvas;
• the product is resistant to the effects of chemicals;
• this is a fairly elastic fabric, which is not characterized by creasing;
• the material is well stained and also has dirt-repellent qualities;
• spandex-based fabric practically does not absorb water;
• it's not too expensive products that are always available in the simplest stores.

This raw material also has characteristics that do not allow it to be used in its pure form in the manufacture of textiles.

• The canvas absolutely does not let air through. If you wear clothes exclusively from spandex, then the body sweats, tightens it strongly, the skin feels a cold and smooth texture.
• This fabric is prone to puffs even with the slightest hold.
• Prolonged use can provoke the formation of an allergic reaction.
• In the sun, the fibers burn out and lose their characteristic radiance.
• Spandex loses its quality if it is located near a heat source - fire or heating appliances.

Due to their elastic properties, products containing spandex fibers are popular in the theater and circus.Such clothing fits the figure very well, makes the movements free, good dyeability allows you to produce very bright colorful outfits with decorative design. It is possible to make products under varnish, leather, metal. For these same qualities, spandex suits are popular with athletes. Especially often, elastane is used in the manufacture of clothing for gymnasts, skaters, swimmers, cyclists. From a combination of spandex and another fiber, the following products may be output.

• If you combine 5% elastane with denim, you get popular stretch jeans. They are characterized by maintaining the original appearance for a long time and wearing comfort.
• The most popular combination is cotton and spandex. This combination allows you to produce beautiful T-shirts, topics, clothes for sports and yoga. Products are obtained not only bright and stylish, but also very comfortable, they stretch and do not constrain movement.

• If you add spandex fibers (only 2%) to nylon, it is possible to make stockings and tights with a gloss effect. The elastic properties of spandex hold the laundry on the hips, tightly fit the forms, do not fold and do not stretch. Women know this product under the name Lycra.
• From the union of polymer threads, cotton and wool, you can get high-quality thermal underwear.
• Elastane and polyurethane produce special underwear for weight loss.
• If we combine spandex, viscose and polyester, then at the output we get a material called diving, which is used for the production of sports and tourist equipment.

Sometimes spandex is included in the composition of products in some specific areas where high-quality fit is required. For example, polyurethane threads can be used in the manufacture of work gloves, this raw material is often inserted into the cuffs so that they are tightly held on the wrist.

Before you buy a piece of clothing that contains polyurethane yarn, pay attention to the following criteria.

• The material should have a homogeneous structure. The quality is indicated by the absence of spools, puffs and other damage.
• Make sure the selected fabric has good elasticity and extensibility.
• The material in which spandex is present is smooth, it is pleasant to touch it.
• Color should densely cover the entire surface, the presence of stains indicates poor product quality.
• A product that contains polyurethane fibers cannot cost too cheap, so focus on the price.
• Pay attention to the manufacturer. The products of the USA, Europe, Russia and Belarus are considered the highest quality. Do not pass by Chinese textiles - the main share of production and consumption falls on China.

Due to its strength properties, spandex is unpretentious in care, however, some rules are still worth knowing.

• When cleaning the product, bleach and bleaches should not be used, since these products can adversely affect the color of the canvas. However, some manufacturers allow the use of chemistry in the care of spandex, but in any case often do not do this.
• Most textiles, which include spandex, are allowed to wash at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees.
• It is better to use a manual method of washing. If machine wash is allowed, then this should be a mode without additional spin and drying.
• Try to avoid drying the material near open sources of fire. Too high temperatures can cause the fibers to melt or the surface to become too hard.
• The product does not need ironing.

Immediately it is worth mentioning that, having noticed the fading of the shine on the fabric, it makes no sense to prevent this in any way. It is impossible to stop the process, over time, the radiance that is characteristic of spandex products always fades. This is especially true, for example, a swimsuit. Most often, this thing lasts for only a couple of seasons, since the paint quickly fades under the influence of ultraviolet rays. In this regard, it is not recommended to dry clothes on the balcony under an open source of light, and decorative patterns on clothes are better to demonstrate under artificial lighting. Currently, modern technology has reduced this lack of spandex, and now it can withstand sunlight more steadily, but still it is worth protecting the product if you want it to last as long as possible.

Buyers were able to appreciate the products created using spandex. Positive feedback is received, for example, knitwear cooler with the addition of lycra. According to customers, this is a great alternative to cotton fabric - the product does not crease, does not need ironing, and retains its original shape for a long time. Those who were able to try diving fabric on themselves note the excellent performance characteristics of such a suit: the material fits the figure well and does not constrain movement.

Buyers appreciate the affordable price, the wide availability of the material and its color variety. Especially often, clothes made of spandex are chosen as a halloween outfit or a New Year's masquerade costume. Men usually use spandex items for sports, women are more likely to meet him in the underwear and pantyhose departments. Among the shortcomings, the poor breathability of diving and other types of fabric stands out. Things created by combining viscose and elastane have a high degree of creasing.

About the properties of spandex, see the next video.