Spandex Vs Elastane VS LYCRA-What is the difference
Many People may feel a bit confused about the three terms of **Spandex & Elastane & LYCRA**. What is the difference? Here’s some tips you may need to know.
Spandex Vs Elastane
What’s difference between Spandex and Elastane?
There’s **no difference**. They’re actually the exact same thing. Spandex equals to Elastane and Elastane equals to Spandex. They literally mean the same thing. But the difference is just **where those terms are used**.
Spandex is predominately used in the **USA** and Elastane is predominately used in the **rest of the World**. So for example, if you’re in the UK, and you hear a lot saying. It’s what an American would call spandex. So they are exactly same thing.
What is Spandex/Elastane?
Spandex/Elanstane is a **synthetic fiber** created by **Dupont in 1959**.
And essentially it’s main use in textiles is to give fabric **stretch** and **shape retention**. So something like a cotton spandex tee Vs a regular cotton tee. You notice cotton tee seems kind of lose their shape overtime to get through dragging and that kind of like just wear out versus a spandex tee which will do well holding its shape and have that **longevity**. That’s because of those spandex.
Spandex, has unique properties that make it well suited to certain applications, such as **sports apparel**. The fabric is able to expand up to **600%** and spring back without losing its integrity, although over time, the fibers may become exhausted. Unlike many other synthetic fabrics, spandex is a **polyurethane**, and it is this fact that is responsible for the fabric’s peculiarly **elastic qualities**.
Care Instructions
Spandex may be used in **compression garments**.
Spandex is relatively easy to care for. It can usually be washed by machine in **cool to lukewarm water** and **drip dried** or machine dried at very low temperature if removed promptly. Most items containing the fabric have care instructions included on the label; besides water temperature and drying instructions, many garment labels will also advise against using **fabric softener**, as it can break down the elasticity of the fabric. If an iron is needed, it should remain on a **very low heat setting**.
What’s the difference between LYCRA® fiber, spandex and elastane?
**LYCRA® fiber** is the **trademarked brand name** of a class of synthetic elastic fibers known as **spandex** in the U.S, and **elastane** in the rest of the world.
**Spandex** is the more **generic term** to describe the cloth whereas **Lycra** is one of the most popular **brand names** of Spandex.
Many other companies market the spandex clothing but it is only the **Invista Company** who markets the Lycra brand.
How is Elastane made?
There are **two main ways** of processing Elastane into garments.
The first one is to **wrap the Elastane fibre in a non-elastic thread**. This can either be natural or man-made. The resulting yarn has the appearance and properties of the fibre that it is wrapped with.
The second method is to **incorporate the actual Elastane fibres into the garments during the weaving process**.
Small amount of Elastane are only required to add the properties of it into the fabrics. Trousers only use around **2%** to add to the comfort and fit, with the highest percentages being used in **swimwear, corsetry or sportswear** reaching **15-40% Elastane**. It is **never used alone** and is always **blended with other fibres**.
If you want to know more things or knowledge, please feel free to **contact us** or **send inquiry** to us. Thanks for reading!