See Also

Spandex

Spandex or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity . It is stronger and more durable than rubber Rubber

Rubber is an elastic hydrocarbon [i] polymer [i] which occurs as a milky emulsion [i] in the sap of se ... 

, its major non-synthetic competitor. It was invented in 1959 by DuPont DuPont

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company was founded in July 1802 [i] as a gun powder [i] mill by Eleuthre Irne du Pont [i] ... 

 chemist Joseph Shivers. When first introduced it revolutionized many areas of the clothing Clothing

Clothing is defined, in its broadest sense, as coverings for the torso and limbs as well as coverings fo... 

 industry Industry

An industry is generally any grouping of business [i]es that share a common method of generating profit [i] ... 

. Spandex is the preferred name in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i] ... 

 and Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

, 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.

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Encyclopedia



Spandex or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity . It is stronger and more durable than rubber Rubber

Rubber is an elastic hydrocarbon [i] polymer [i] which occurs as a milky emulsion [i] in the sap of se ... 

, its major non-synthetic competitor. It was invented in 1959 by DuPont DuPont

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company was founded in July 1802 [i] as a gun powder [i] mill by Eleuthre Irne du Pont [i] ... 

 chemist Joseph Shivers. When first introduced it revolutionized many areas of the clothing Clothing

Clothing is defined, in its broadest sense, as coverings for the torso and limbs as well as coverings fo... 

 industry Industry

An industry is generally any grouping of business [i]es that share a common method of generating profit [i] ... 

.

Spandex is the preferred name in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i]... 

 and Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

, 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 LycraŽ. Other trademarks include Elaspan , Dorlastan and Linel .


Spandex fiber characteristics

Spun from a block copolymer, these fibers exploit the high crystal Crystal

In chemistry [i] and mineralogy [i], a crystal is a solid [i] in which the constituent atom [i]s, molecule [i] ... 

linity and hardness of polyurethane Polyurethane

A polyurethane is any polymer [i] consisting of a chain of organic [i] units joined by ... 

 segments, yet remain "rubbery" due to alternating segments of polyethylene glycol Polyethylene glycol

Polyethylene glycol and polyethylene oxide are polymer [i]s having an identical structure, and are ... 

 . 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

  • Apparel Clothing

    Clothing is defined, in its broadest sense, as coverings for the torso and limbs as well as coverings fo... 

     and clothing articles where stretch is desired, generally for comfort and fit, such as:
    • athletic, aerobic, and exercise apparel
    • wetsuits Diving suit

      A diving suit is a garment or device designed to protect a diver [i] from the underwater [i] envi... 

    • swimsuit Swimsuit

      A swimsuit, bathing suit, aqua jammies or swimming costume is an item of clothing [i] ... 

      s/bathing suits
    • competitive swimwear Competitive swimwear

      Competitive swimwear generally refers to the apparel, equipment and accessories used in the aquatic spor... 

    • brassiere Brassiere

      A brassiere or bra is a foundation garment [i] which supports and covers the breast [i]s, or suppo ... 

       straps and bra side panels
    • ski Ski

      A ski is a long flat device worn on the feet designed to help the wearer slide over snow.... 

       pants
    • slacks Trousers

      Trousers is an item of clothing [i] worn on the lower part of the body, covering both legs separately . ... 

    • hosiery
    • leggings
    • sock Sock

      A sock is a knitted garment for enclosing the human foot [i] and/or lower leg, which is designed to:

... 

s
    • belts
    • underwear Undergarment

      Undergarments, also called "underwear", "lingerie [i]" , or sometimes "intimate clothing" and "pants" in ... 

  • Compression garments such as:
    • surgical hose
    • support hose
    • cycling shorts Cycling shorts

      Cycling shorts, also known as biker - or bicycling shorts, are short, skin-tight legwear designed ... 

    • foundation garments
  • Shaped garments such as bra cups
  • In some cases, people with autism Autism

    Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental [i] disorder [i] that manifests itself i ... 

     can find it calming to wear spandex garments.

Production


The U.S. Federal Trade Commission Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government [i] ... 

 definition for spandex fiber is "A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polymer Polymer

Polymer is a term used to describe molecule [i]s consisting of structural unit [i]s and a large number o ... 

 comprised of at least 85 percent of a segmented polyurethane Polyurethane

A polyurethane is any polymer [i] consisting of a chain of organic [i] units joined by ... 

".

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

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company was founded in July 1802 [i] as a gun powder [i] mill by Eleuthre Irne du Pont [i] ... 



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

Bayer AG [i] is a German [i] chemical [i] and pharmaceutical [i] ... 

 Corporation;

Fiction


In comic books, superhero Superhero

A superhero is a fictional character [i] who is noted for feats of courage [i] and nobility [i], who usu ... 

es and superheroine Superhero

A superhero is a fictional character [i] who is noted for feats of courage [i] and nobility [i], who usu ... 

s commonly wear costumes made of spandex.

See also

  • Textile Textile

    A textile is a flexible material comprised of a network of natural or artificial fibre [i]s often referr ... 

  • Spandex fetishism
  • Darlex

External links

  • – Company website
  • – Company website