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Spandex




Spandex is the preferred name in North America and Australia , while elastane is most often used elsewhere, such as in Europe. It turns out that "spandex" was coined from an anagram of "expands." A well-known trademark for spandex or elastane is INVISTA 's brand name Lycra®. Other trademarks include '''Elaspan''' (also INVISTA's), '''Dorlastan''' (Bayer) and '''Linel''' (Fillattice).


SPANDEX FIBER CHARACTERISTICS


Spun from a Block Copolymer , these fibers exploit the high Crystal linity and hardness of Polyurethane segments, yet remain "rubbery" due to alternating segments of Polyethylene Glycol {Link without Title} . This yields the following combination of materials properties:

  • can be stretched over 500% without breaking

  • able to be stretched repetitively and still recover original length

  • lightweight

  • abrasion resistant

  • poor strength, but stronger and more durable than rubber

  • soft, smooth, and supple

  • resistant to body oils, perspiration, lotions, and detergents

  • no static or pilling problems



MAJOR SPANDEX FIBER USES



PRODUCTION


The U.S. Federal Trade Commission definition for spandex fiber is "A Manufacture d fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain Synthetic Polymer comprised of at least 85 percent of a segmented Polyurethane ".

First U.S. commercial spandex fiber production: 1959, DuPont Company

Current U.S. spandex fiber producers: INVISTA ; Bayer Corporation; RadiciSpandex Corporation


FICTION


In Comic Book s, Superhero es and Superheroine s commonly wear costumes made of spandex.


SEE ALSO



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