Spandex

Introduction to Spandex
Spandex, Lycra or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional 
elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. It is a polyester-
polyurethanecopolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers at 
DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia. When introduced in
1962, it revolutionized many areas of the clothing industry.

The name "spandex" is an anagram of the word "expands". It is the preferred

name in North America; in continental Europe it is referred to by variants of
"elastane",
i.e.élasthanne (France), Elastan (Germany), elastano (Spain), elastam (Italy)
and elastaan (Netherlands), and is known in the UK, Ireland, Portugal, Brazil,
Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and Israel primarily as Lycra. Brand names
for spandex include Lycra (made by Koch subsidiary Invista, previously a part
of DuPont), Elaspan (also Invista),Acepora (Taekwang), Creora (Hyosung
), INVIYA (Indorama Corporation), ROICA and Dorlastan (Asahi Kasei
), Linel (Fillattice), and ESPA (Toyobo).
Introduction to Spandex

Spandex is a lightweight, synthetic fiber that is used to make stretchable

clothing such as sportswear. It is made up of a long chain polymer called 
polyurethane, which is produced by reacting a polyester with a
diisocyanate. The polymer is converted into a fiber using a dry spinning
technique. First produced in the early 1950s, spandex was initially
developed as a replacement for rubber. Although the market for spandex
remains relatively small compared to other fibers such as cotton or nylon,
new applications for spandex are continually being discovered. 
 Introduction to Spandex

Spandex, Lycra or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional

elasticity. It is made up of a long chain polymer called polyurethane, which
is produced by reacting a polyester with a diisocyanate. Spandex gained
interest quickly due to it’s superiority to the strength in durability of
rubber. Spandex also has a better resistance to dry heat & oil, in
comparison to rubber. The level of comfort and wicking ability found in 
Spandex are unparalleled, and do not exist in such high amount with any
other fabric Spandex Fiber.

Spandex is being used in a continually widening array of clothing articles,

including woven and knits, and synthetics and natural fibers.
 Introduction to Spandex
• a synthetic fiber formed from polyurethane solutions or melts or by chemical formati
on (polyurethane is prepared directly from
a diisocyanate and diamine during fiber formation).

• Spandex fibers sharply differ from natural fibers and other types of chemical fibers i
n physical properties. However, they are in many ways similar to rubber fibers. 
• They are characterized by a great amount of stretch and a low modulus of elasticity.
They are able to recover to original length over a very short period of time. Because 
spandex fibers, particularly in the stretchstate, exhibit substantial strength losses at 1
20°C, fabrics made from them are cleaned and dyed at temperatures no higher
than 90° C. 

• The fibers turn yellow on exposure to light, whereas their other properties remain pra
ctically unchanged.Yellowing can be eliminated to a great extent with the aid of phot
o stabilizers Spandex fibers are resistant to hydrolytic
agents during finishing, washing, and dyeing. 

• They are also resistant to oils, acids, alkalies, and organic solvents containing
chlorine.
 Continue
• Spandex fibers are processed in pure form or in a mixture with natural fibers or other typ
es of chemical fibers. The addedfibers are mainly used for wrapping the spandex fibers, 
thereby protecting the core fibers from the light. 

• A yarn composed of5–20 percent spandex fiber and 80–
95 percent nonexpendable fiber is used to prepare fabrics for shirts, blouses, sportswear,
coats, and corsets.

• Spandex fibers are known by the trade names Lycra and Vy-
rene (United States), SPA and Neoran (Japan), Spanzelle(Great Britain), and Vorin 
(Italy). In 1973, world production of spandex fibers amounted to tens of thousands of to
ns.

• The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Introduction to Spandex
• Spandex is a synthetic fiber that has an exceptional characteristic of
elasticity due to which it is also known as elastane. It is lightweight, soft,
strong and very stretchable. In fact, spandex fiber was developed as an
alternative to rubber but has a better quality than it. The name Lycra has
also come to be a synonymous of spandex. However, Lycra is the
trademark brand but it has become so popular that all the varieties of
spandex are popularly referred to as Lycra. Due to its durability and stretch
ability, spandex is mostly used to make sports wear and work wear,
specially for factory workers. It wears like a second skin and for risk
involved jobs like that of machine operators,Lycra clothing is like a boon.
Introduction to Spandex
• The word elastomer is a combination of the word elastic and polymer these
kinds of polymershave a special property which is “they are capable of
being stretched or deformed and suddenly returns to its original shape
when they release.” Chemically the elastomer are polyurethane-based 85%
segment of this polymers is polyurethanes (-NH-COO-). Polyurethane is
synthesized from urea.
 Background

• Spandex is a synthetic polymer. Chemically, it is made up of a long-chain polyglycol

combined with a short diisocyanate, and contains at least 85% polyurethane. It is an
elastomer, which means it can be stretched to a certain degree and it recoils when
released. These fibers are superior to rubber because they are stronger, lighter, and more
versatile. In fact, spandex fibers can be stretched to almost 500% of their length.
• This unique elastic property of the spandex fibers is a direct result of the material's
chemical composition. The fibers are made up of numerous polymer strands. These
strands are composed of two types of segments: long, amorphous segments and short,
rigid segments. In their natural state, the amorphous segments have a random molecular
structure. They intermingle and make the fibers soft. Some of the rigid portions of the
polymers bond with each other and give the fiber structure. When a force is applied to
stretch the fibers, the bonds between the rigid sections are broken, and the amorphous
segments straighten out. This makes the amorphous segments longer, thereby
increasing the length of the fiber. When the fiber is stretched to its maximum length,
the rigid segments again bond with each other. The amorphous segments remain in an
elongated state. This makes the fiber stiffer and stronger. After the force is removed, the
amorphous segments recoil and the fiber returns to its relaxed state. By using the elastic
properties of spandex fibers, scientists can create fabrics that have desirable stretching
and strength characteristics.
Continue

• The primary use for spandex fibers is in fabric. They are useful for a number of
reasons. First, they can be stretched repeatedly, and will return almost exactly back
to original size and shape. Second, they are lightweight, soft, and smooth.
Additionally, they are easily dyed. They are also resilient since they are resistant to
abrasion and the deleterious effects of body oils, perspiration, and detergents. They
are compatible with other materials, and can be spun with other types of fibers to
produce unique fabrics, which have characteristics of both fibers.

• Spandex is used in a variety of different clothing types. Since it is lightweight and

does not restrict movement, it is most often used in athletic wear. This includes
such garments as swimsuits, bicycle pants, and exercise wear. The form-fitting
properties of spandex makes it a good for use in under-garments. Hence, it is used
in waist bands, support hose, bras, and briefs.
 History

• The development of spandex was started during World War II. At this time, chemists
took on the challenge of developing synthetic replacements for rubber. Two primary
motivating factors prompted their research. First, the war effort required most of the
available rubber for building equipment. Second, the price of rubber was unstable and it
fluctuated frequently. Developing an alternative to rubber could solve both of these
problems.
• At first, their goal was to develop a durable elastic strand based on synthetic polymers.
In 1940, the first polyurethane elastomers were produced. These polymers produced
millable gums, which were an adequate alternative to rubber. Around the same time,
scientists at Du Pont produced the first nylon polymers. These early nylon polymers
were stiff and rigid, so efforts were begun to make them more elastic. When scientists
found that other polyurethanes could be made into fine threads, they decided that these
materials might be useful in making more stretchable nylons or in making lightweight
garments.
• The first spandex fibers were produced on an experimental level by one of the early
pioneers in polymer chemistry, Farbenfabriken Bayer. He earned a German patent for
his synthesis in 1952. The final development of the fibers were worked out
independently by scientists at Du Pont and the U.S. Rubber Company. Du Pont used the
brand name Lycra and began full scale manufacture in 1962. They are currently the
world leader in the production of spandex fibers.
Characteristics of Spandex

• The most significant characteristic of spandex is its stretch ability. It can be

stretched to a great length and then also recovers its near to original shape.
It can, in fact, be stretched to almost 500% of its length. It is lightweight,
soft, smooth, supple and more durable and has higher retractive ability than
rubber. As such, when spandex is used for making any clothing, it gives the
best fit and comfort and also prevents bagging and sagging of the garment.
It is also heat-settable which means that it facilitates transforming puckered
fabrics into flat fabrics, or flat fabrics into permanent rounded shapes.
Spandex fibers or fabrics can be easily dyed and they also resist damage by
body oils, perspiration, lotions or detergents. These fabrics are also
abrasion resistant. When spandex is sewn, the needle causes little or no
damage from "needle cutting" compared to the older types of elastic
materials. The spandex fiber diameters range from 10 denier to 2500 denier
and can be found in both, clear and opaque lusters.. 
Basic Principle for Making Spandex Fiber

• Federal Trade Commission defines Spandex Fiber as a manufactured fiber

in which the fiber forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer
comprised of at least 85% of segmented polyurethane. The polymer chain
is a segmented block copolymer which contains long, randomly coiled,
liquid, soft segments that move to a more linear, lower entropy, structure.
The rigid segments act as "virtual cross-links" that tie all the polymer
chains together into an infinite network. The network thus formed,
prevents the polymer chains from slipping past each other and taking on a
permanent set or draw. When the stretching force is no longer applied, the
linear, low entropy, soft segments move back to the original randomly
coiled, higher entropy state, causing the fiber to recover its original shape
and length. This segmented block copolymer is made in a multi-step
proprietary process. It is extruded into a fiber as a monofilament thread
line or for most products into a multiplicity of fine filaments that are
coalesced shortly after they are formed into a single thread line.
Materials Used for Spandex Fibers

• Many raw materials are used to make the unique stretchable spandex
fibers. They include prepolymers which produce the backbone of the fiber,
stabilizers which protect the integrity of the polymer, and textile colorants
 to give attractive shades to the fibers and the spandex fabrics. Two kinds
of prepolymers are reacted to produce the spandex fiber polymer back-
bone- the flexible macro glycol and the rigid diisocyanate. Macro-glycol
can be anything from among polyester, polyether, polycarbonate,
polycaprolactone or some combination of these. These are long and
flexible chain polymers having hydroxyl groups (-OH) on both ends,
responsible for the stretching characteristic of spandex. The polymeric
diisocyanate is a shorter and rigid chain polymer, having an isocyanate (-
NCO) group on both ends. This molecule provides strength to the spandex
fibers. Catalyst such as diazobicyclo octane is used to initiate reaction
between the two types of prepolymers. Other low molecular weight amines
are used to control the molecular weight of the fibers.
Continue

• Apart from the basic prepolymers, catalysts etc. stabilizers, such as

antioxidants, are added to protect the fibers from damaging sources like
heat, light, atmospheric contaminants, and chlorine. Ultraviolet (UV)
screeners such as hydroxybenzotriazoles are added to protect it against
light degradation. Other stabilizers such as for preventing discoloration
caused by atmospheric pollutants may also be used. As spandex is often
used for making swim wear, ant mildew additives are also added to it.
Stabilizers added to the spandex fibers, are resistant to solvent exposure as
this could have a damaging effect on the fiber. Dispersed and acid dyes are
typically used for giving color to spandex fibers. However, special dyeing
methods are adopted if the spandex fibers are interwoven with other fibers
such as nylon fiber or polyester fiber.
 Major spandex fiber uses

Cyclist wearing a pair of spandex shorts

Woman wearing spandex leggings
 and a cycling jersey
 Continue

Wrestlers wearing spandex A human pyramid of dancers

wearing spandexzentai suits
 Continue
• Because of its elasticity and strength (stretching up to five times its length),
spandex has been incorporated into a wide range of garments, especially in 
skin-tight garments. A benefit of spandex is its significant strength and elasticity
and its ability to return to the original shape after stretching and faster drying than
ordinary fabrics.
• The types of garments which incorporate spandex include:
 activewear
 athletic, aerobic, and exercise apparel
 belts
 bra straps and side panels
 competitive swimwear
 cycling jerseys and shorts
 dance belts worn by male ballet dancers and others
 gloves
 hosiery
 leggings
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 netball bodysuits
 orthopedic braces
 rowing unisuits
 cross country race suits
 ski pants
 skinny jeans
 slacks
 miniskirts
 socks and tights
 swimsuits/bathing suits
 underwear
 wetsuits
 zentai
 Triathlon suits
Continue
• Compression garments such as:
 foundation garments
 motion capture suits
• Shaped garments such as:
 bra cups
 support hose
 surgical hose
 superhero outfits
 women's volleyball shorts
 wrestling singlets

• Home furnishings, such as microbead pillows

For clothing, spandex is usually mixed with cotton or polyester, and accounts for a
small percentage of the final fabric, which therefore retains most of the look and feel of
the other fibers. In North America it is rare in men's clothing, but prevalent in women's.
An estimated 80% of clothing sold in the United States contained spandex in 2010.
Production
Spandex fibers are produced in four different ways: melt extrusion, reaction
spinning, solution dry spinning, and solution wet spinning. All of these
methods include the initial step of reacting monomers to produce a
prepolymer. Once the prepolymer is formed, it is reacted further in various
ways and drawn out to make the fibers.
• The solution dry spinning method is used to produce over 94.5% of the
world's spandex fibers, and the process has five steps:

1. The first step is to produce the prepolymer. This is done by mixing a

macroglycol with a diisocyanate monomer. The two compounds are mixed in
a reaction vessel to produce a prepolymer. A typical ratio of glycol to
diisocyanate is 1:2.

2. The prepolymer is further reacted with an equal amount of diamine. This

reaction is known as chain extension reaction. The resulting solution is
diluted with a solvent (DMAc) to produce the spinning solution. The solvent
helps make the solution thinner and more easily handled, and then it can be
pumped into the fiber production cell.
Continue
3.The spinning solution is pumped into a cylindrical spinning cell where it
is cured and converted into fibers. In this cell, the polymer solution is forced
through a metal plate called a spinneret. This causes the solution to be
aligned in strands of liquid polymer. As the strands pass through the cell,
they are heated in the presence of a nitrogen and solvent gas. This process
causes the liquid polymer to react chemically and form solid strands.

4. As the fibers exit the cell, an amount of solid strands are bundled
together to produce the desired thickness. Each fiber of spandex is made up
of many smaller individual fibers that adhere to one another due to the
natural stickiness of their surface.

5.The resulting fibers are then treated with a finishing agent which can be 
magnesium stearate or another polymer. This treatment prevents the fibers'
sticking together and aids in textile manufacture. The fibers are then
transferred through a series of rollers onto a spool.
Raw Materials

• A variety of raw materials are used to produce stretchable spandex fibers.

This includes prepolymers which produce the backbone of the fiber,
stabilizers which protect the integrity of the polymer, and colorants.

• Two types of prepolymers are reacted to produce the spandex fiber

polymer back-bone. One is a flexible macroglycol while the other is a stiff
diisocyanate. The macro-glycol can be a polyester, polyether,
polycarbonate, polycaprolactone or some combination of these. These are
long chain polymers, which have hydroxyl groups (-OH) on both ends.
The important feature of these molecules is that they are long and flexible.
This part of the spandex fiber is responsible for its stretching characteristic.
The other prepolymer used to produce spandex is a polymeric
diisocyanate. This is a shorter chain polymer, which has an isocyanate (-
NCO) group on both ends. The principal characteristic of this molecule is
its rigidity. In the fiber, this molecule provides strength
Continue

• This corset-clad torso was produced by Jacob Kindliman of New York City in
1890. Kindliman, a corsetiere, hardly needed to advertise. At that time, women
thought it was necessary to wear a corset and considered themselves indecently
dressed without it until early in the twentieth century. Corsets were a combination
brassiere-girdle-waist cincher in an all-in-one garment, forming the foundation
shape for fashionable dress.

• In days before spandex, how did the corset contour the body effectively? In the
eighteenth century, thick quilting and stout seams on the corset shaped the body
when the garment was tightly laced. In the early nineteenth century, baleen, a bony
but bendable substance from the mouth of the baleen whale, was sewn into seams
of the corset (hence the term whalebone corsets), however the late 1800s corsets
like this were stiffened with small, thin strips of steel covered with fabric. Such
steel-clad corsets did not permit movement or comfort. By World War I, American
women began separating parts of the corset into two garments—the girdle (waist
and hip shaper) and bandeau (softer band used to support and shape the breasts).
Continue

Dry-spinning process.
Continue
• When the two types of prepolymers are mixed together, they interact to form the
spandex fibers. In this reaction, the hydroxyl groups (-OH) on the macro glycols
react with the isocyanides.
• Each molecule gets added on to the end of another molecule, and a long chain
polymer is formed. This is known as a step-growth or addition polymerization. To
initiate this reaction, a catalyst such as diazobicyclo[2.2.2]octane must be used.
Other low molecular weight amines are added to control the molecular weight of
the fibers.
• Spandex fibers are vulnerable to damage from a variety of sources including heat,
light atmospheric contaminants, and chlorine. For this reason, stabilizers are added
to protect the fibers. Antioxidants are one type of stabilizer.
• Various antioxidants are added to the fibers, including monomeric and polymeric
hindered phenols. To protect against light degradation, ultraviolet (UV) screeners
such as hydroxybenzotriazoles are added. Compounds which inhibit fiber
discoloration caused by atmospheric pollutants are another type of stabilizer added.
These are typically compounds with tertiary amine functionality, which can interact
with the oxides of nitrogen in air pollution.
Continue
• Since spandex is often used for swimwear, ant mildew additives must also
be added. All of the stabilizers that are added to the spandex fibers are
designed to be resistant to solvent exposure since this could have a
damaging effect on the fiber.

• When they are first produced, spandex fibers are white. Therefore,
colorants are added to improve their aesthetic appearance. Dispersed and
acid dyes are typically used. If the spandex fibers are interwoven with
other fibers such as nylon or polyester, special dying methods are required.
Continue

Wet-spinning process
The Manufacturing  Process

• Spandex fibers are produced in four different ways including melt extrusion,
reaction spinning, solution dry spinning, and solution wet spinning. Each of these
methods involve the initial step of reacting monomers to produce a prepolymer.
Then the prepolymer is reacted further, in various ways, and drawn out to produce a
long fiber. Since solution dry spinning is used to produce over 90% of the world's
spandex fibers, it is described.
Polymer reactions
1 The first step in the production of spandex is the production of the prepolymer.
This is done by mixing a macroglycol with a diisocyanate monomer. The
compounds are mixed in a reaction vessel and under the right conditions they react
to form a prepolymer. Since the ratio of the component materials produces fibers
with varying characteristics, it is strictly controlled. A typical ratio of glycol to
diisocyanate may be 1:2.
2 In dry spinning fiber production, the prepolymer is further reacted with an equal
amount of diamine. This is known as a chain extension reaction. The resulting
solution is diluted with a solvent to produce the spinning solution. The solvent
helps make the solution thinner and more easily handled. It can then be pumped
into the fiber production cell.
Continue
• Producing the fibers
3 The spinning solution is pumped into a cylindrical spinning cell where it
is cured and converted into fibers. In this cell, the polymer solution is
forced through a metal plate, called a spinneret, which has small holes
throughout. This causes the solution to be aligned in strands of liquid
polymer. As the strands pass through the cell, they are heated in the
presence of a nitrogen and solvent gas. These conditions cause the liquid
polymer to chemically react and form solid strands.

4 As the fibers exit the cell, a specific amount of the solid strands are
bundled together to produce the desired thickness. This is done with a
compressed air device that twists the fibers together. In reality, each fiber
of spandex is made up of many smaller individual fibers that adhere to one
another due to the natural stickiness of their surface.
Continue
Final processing
• 5 The fibers are then treated with a finishing agent. This may be
magnesium stearate or another polymer such as poly(dimethyl-siloxane).
These finishing materials prevent the fibers from sticking together and aid
in textile manufacture. After this treatment, the fibers are transferred
through a series of rollers onto a spool. The windup speed of the entire
process can be anywhere from 300-500 mi (482.7-804.5 km) per minute
depending on the thickness of the fibers.

• 6 When the spools are filled with fiber, they are put into final packaging
and shipped to textile manufacturers and other customers. Here, the fibers
may be woven with other fibers such as cotton or nylon to produce the
fabric that is used in clothing manufacture. This fabric can also be dyed to
produce a desired color.
Continue
Quality Control
• To ensure the quality of the spandex fibers, manufacturers monitor the product
during each phase of production. Inspections begin with the evaluation of the
incoming raw materials. Various chemical and physical characteristics are tested.
For example, the pH, specific gravity, and viscosity of the diisocyanate may be
checked. Additionally, appearance, color, and odor can also be evaluated. Only by
having strict quality control checks on the starting materials can the manufacturer
be sure that they will produce a consistent end product. After production, the
spandex fibers are also tested. These tests may include those that evaluate fiber
elasticity, resilience and absorbency.
The Future
• The quality of spandex fibers has continually improved since they were first
developed. Various areas of research will help continue their improvement. For
example, scientists have found that by changing the starting prepolymers they can
develop fibers which have even better stretching characteristics. Other
characteristics can be improved by using different prepolymer ratios, better
catalysts, and various fillers. In addition to spandex fiber improvements, it is likely
that advanced fabrics will be produced which incorporate spandex fibers with
conventional fibers.
Spandex Chemistry
Spandex actually the fiber form of the elastomers “it is the generic term used in the
USA for elastomeric fibers. This term was coined by reversing syllables in the word
expand.”

Urethane Formation: Urethane formation: When the organic isocyanate

(R-N=C=O) react with an alcoholic compound (R-OH) and additional
reaction takes place a product is formed which is called urethane….
Example: When an Ethyl alcohol reacts with methyl isocyanate it forms methyl
urethane:
Equation: C2H5-OH+ CH3-NCO CH3-NH-COOC2H5
Continue
Continue
In other case when we react dihydric alcohol (ethylene alcohol) and a
diisocynate reacts polymer is formed due to condensation polymerization called
polyurethane……
Continue
Spandex Structure and Properties

• Notice that because Spandex is a polymer, its macromolecular structure is made up

of repeating units (mers) denoted by the x and n next to the parentheses in the
structure. Each Spandex fiber will differ somewhat in length and composition
depending on the exact values of x and n.
Continue
• Expanded Structure:
Draw in the missing hydrogens and non-bonded electrons in the abbreviated
structure of Spandex.

• Functional Groups:
Spandex contains some composite functional groups not mentioned in the early
chapters of your text. First, circle each of the simple functional groups in the
abbreviated structure of Spandex. A urethane is a composite functional group that is
part ester and part amide. Circle the urethane functional group(s). You should know
the structure of urea. Circle the substituted urea functional group(s).

• Hybridization and Geometry:

For each of the atoms in the abbreviated Spandex structure, state its hybridization
and geometry. (Remember the "amide" rule -- the N of amides is sp2 hydbridized.)
Continue
Resonance Structures:
Functional groups that have resonance contributors (and thus double-bond
character) will have higher barriers to rotation. Find the urethane and urea
derivative functional groups in the structure above and show how the
carbonyl group and the adjacent heteroatom can be drawn as another
resonance structure.

• Conformational Analysis:
With respect to the resonance structures you drew, state which have higher
or lower energy barries to rotation. Explain why there is a barrier to
rotation for these groups.
Here is a small Spandex molecule in one possible conformation.
Lycra Spandex

• As the premiere synthetic stretch fabric, lycra spandex is the trade name
for DuPont's version of the long-chain polymeric fiber. Invented at DuPont
by American scientist Joseph C. Shivers in 1959, spandex sprang on the
market as a replacement for rubber (latex) in women's foundation
garments.
Continue
• Polyether polyols, soft and rubbery segments of the polyester chain allow spandex
to stretch up to 600 times its resting length and then recover its original shape.
Urethanes or urethane-ureas constitute hard segments in the synthetic compound
that provide rigidity, impart tensile strength, and limit plastic flow. 1,4-butanediol
(4 carbons, 10 hydrogens, and 2 oxygens per molecule), a precursor for spandex
and the polyurethane used to manufacture car bumpers, has more recently made it
on to the drug enforcement watch list as the main constituent for the "date rape"
recreational drug, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Phosgene, (1 carbon, 2 chlorine,
and 1 oxygen atoms per molecule), known also as mustard gas, is used to make the
diisocyanate monomers used in spandex fabrication, but under heightened alert is
watched worldwide in illicit bioweapons arsenals. Also key in the production of
spandex is the intermediary 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA) (13 carbons, 14
hydrogens, 2 nitrogens), which is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency as a hazardous chemical, capable of causing severe liver damage to
exposed humans and animals. At DuPont, macromolecular engineers modify the
structure of the polymer by using chemical additives, or change the properties of
the spandex polymer, such as how it responds to light and heat, meeting new
demands and continuing to expand lycra's use in the marketplace.
Continue
• Known as elastane in Europe, spandex is always blended with other natural
and synthetic fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen. Replacing rubber
thread, lycra is lighter and does not decompose when exposed to
perspiration, body oils, skin lotions, perfumes, or detergents. Although
ladies' undergarments including a 1960s boom in soft-support pantyhose
still underlie the spandex market, the remarkable synthetic fiber soon
found its way into figure-flattering swimwear and by 1968, hit the slopes
with the French Olympic ski team. By the 1970s, bicycle racers traded in
their old woolen shorts for snazzy and aerodynamic spandex shorts. Next,
there were dancewear, tights, stretch jeans and the venerable icon of the
1980s, the jogging suit, some of which reached the gyms and athletic fields
and many that never left the dance floor and the fashion scene. The future
for spandex is uncorseted and it is expected to squeeze its way into the
upholstery of stylish furniture and automobiles, as well-fitting bed linens,
and blended with leather and synthetics for truly comfortable shoes that put
a spring in your step.
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• Once only the domain of DuPont, that company still manufactures the
lion's share of spandex but in the United States, glospan, cleerspan, and
dorlasten compete against lycra spandex. Bayer also manufactures spandex
in Germany, and in Japan, Asahi Chemical Industry and Toyobo are world
leaders in spandex production as is South Korea's Tae Kwang Industrial
Company. So valuable are trade secrets in DuPont's lycra spandex
technology, that in 1989, five DuPont employees from the spandex plant in
Mercedes, Argentina tried to extort $10 million dollars for the safe return
of some stolen proprietary production documents. After a globetrotting
chase that bounded from Wilmington, Delaware to Milan, Italy and
Geneva, Switzerland, Swiss police and the FBI staged a sting for the
documents that went awry. Eventually the extortionists were nabbed by the
long arm of the law in a Geneva parking lot and bounced into prison.
Fiber Physics
As it is a combination of the soft and hard reign and has a prominent
property of elasticity; this due to the reason that when we stretch the fiber
the energy stored in his soft part and when the stretch is released the
energy takes the fiber to
its original shape…

In unstressed form most of the fiber is in random manner.

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Now when the fiber is stretched, its folded or coiled segment start
turning into the crystalline. “During the extension the isocyanate
segments are brought close together so that they attract each other as
a crystalline and thereby inhabit further stretching. The aromatic
structure of the isocyanate group makes them extra stiff
• and bulky and thereby enhances their tendency to crystalline.
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Now when the stretched force is removed the coiled segment regains its folded
configuration so that the fiber will contract rapidly…
 Influence of structure on the fiber properties

• SIZE: This is actually not its elongation size but the length of the fiber mostly
the spandex fibers are available in the wide rang of size.”
one manufacturer offers 15 different sizes, ranging from 40 denier to 2920 denier”

• Specific Gravity:
There are small differences in the specific gravities of the various spandex fibers,
but most of them are close to 1.05.”
• Tenacity:
Tenacity is the stress imposed on the fiber at its breaking elongation.
There is considerable difference exist among the various spandex fibers in their
stress-strain properties.
In case of tenacity the commereral fiber rang from 0.47 to 1.18 g/den or from
7,150 to 16,875 Ib/in2.
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Elongation:
Commercial spandex fibers have an elongation at break of 350 to 700%, but
most of them lie in between the rang of 500 to 600% This difference takes place
due to variation in the chemical composition and change in the physical thermal
treatment..
Toughness:
The toughness of spandex fiber is unusually very high. This is due to that these
fibers exhibits such excellent absorption of energy, resistance and flexes endurance
in use.
As we know that the Nylon fiber have a great toughness, and it is very interesting
to compare our fiber with Nylon...
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Properties
• Modulus: Have very High Modulus….
• Set: Set is the property of flexible fibers it is actually the percentage amount of the
permanent deformation takes place in the fibers after release of the stretch.
“A high degree of the set is usually undesirable, and the fiber with high set is
usually showing the low modulus for along term use.

Original length of yarn ………………………..10in.

Breaking elongation………………………… 600%
Stretch impose during test…………………… 480%
No. of cycles of stretching…………………… 8
Yarn length after test………………………… 12in.
Amount of yarn set…………………………… 20%
The set can be reduced by increasing the isocynate content and by heating with heat
treatment…”
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Thermal Effects: The melting point of the spandex fiber is about 350 Fahrenheit .
The following table shows that how the property of set increases in the spandex fiber
when it heated for one hour in the air while elongated 100%....
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• Moisture Effect: “In the absence of alkali and at temperature up to 150 F, moister
has relatively little effect on the spandex fiber. The moisture regain under standard
conditions is approximately 1.3%”
• Hydrolysis:The spandex fiber whose structure is based on the polyester is very
active with hydrolysis, so when his kind of fiber comes under the conditions where
we have a effect of hydrolysis it cause a considerable loss in the tenacity and
modulus. On the other hand the spandex fiber which is based on the polyether is
less reactive under such hydrolysis conditions.

• Effect of oxidants: The spandex fiber is generally give a strong resistance against
oxidizing chemicals then natural rubber.” they are able to withstand peroxide
bleaches, naturally occurring zone, nitrous oxide fumes, and the chlorine in the
swimming pool concentrations with very little
effect on its physical properties.”
However, some spandex fibers get a yellowish color with prolong exposure to a
strong oxidizing agent, such as 1% Clorox. This discoloration may be caused due to
the oxidization of the MDI group…
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• Effect of oxidants: The spandex fiber is generally give a strong resistance

against oxidizing chemicals then natural rubber.” they are able to withstand
peroxide bleaches, naturally occurring zone, nitrous oxide fumes, and the chlorine
in the swimming pool concentrations with very little
effect on its physical properties.”
However, some spandex fibers get a yellowish color with prolong exposure to a
strong oxidizing agent, such as 1% Clorox. This discoloration may be caused due to
the oxidization of the MDI group…

Sunlight resistance: When we expose rubber thread into the sunlight it will
weaken the fiber very quickly .but spandex fibers shows resistance towards the
sunlight but some of the spandex fibers get yellowish color with it expose into the
sunlight about 40- hr.this yellowish color is due to the an oxidizing reaction which
is catalyzed in ultra-violate radiations of the sunlight.
Chemical Properties of Spandex Fiber
Acid: Good resistance to most of acids unless exposure is over 24 hours.

Alkalies: Good resistance to most of the alkalies, but some types of alkalies may
damage the fibre.

Organic solvents: Offer resistance to dry cleaning solvents.

Bleaches: Can be degreaded by sodium hypochloride. chlorine bleach should not

be used.

Dyeing: A full range of coloures is available. Some types are more difficult to dye
than others