Here’s What You Should Know about Spandex and its Properties and Applications
Spandex (also known as elastane or Lycra) is a lightweight, synthetic fiber, known for its exceptional elasticity, used to make stretchable clothing. It is made up of a combination of short chain diisocyanate, long chain polglycol, and polyurethane. Synthetic fibre known generically as spandex is composed of at least 85% polyurethane by weight. It was originally developed by chemist Joseph S. Shivers in DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia, as a means to dampen the effects of perspiration on wool. Colorants and stabilizers are added to enhance appearance and improve the quality of spandex. Spandex offers superior versatility, weight, and strength as compared to rubber. Spandex can be stretched 500% of their length as they have high elasticity. Spandex is widely used in the textile and healthcare industry. It is mostly used in fabrics due to its properties such as compatible with other materials and fibers, body oil resistant, detergent resistant...