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. 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. Since spandex is often used for swimwear, antimildew Wet-spinning process. 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. 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. 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 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. Spandex fabrics are mostly used in garments where comfort and fit both are required like hosiery, swimsuits, exercise wear, socks, surgical hose, undergarments, gloves, cycling shorts, wrestling suits, rowing suits, specialized clothing like zentai suits, motion capture suits, denims, etc.
Sports apparel and accessories industry particularly make use of spandex in making many items. Spandex garments are perfect for athletes and cyclists, as it helps to reduce any resistance to wind. This makes it an ideal garment for competitive cyclists and runners. Spandex fabric is also known to provide support due to which sport bras are produced using this fabric. Spandex is not only used in sport garments but even used for manufacturing sport accessories like volleyballs and soccer balls.
Just as spandex is useful for apparel industry, similarly it is also favorable for the industrial applications. Items made from rubber are now made with spandex.
Medical industry is using spandex instead of latex in producing many products such as rubber tubing, hosing and knee or back braces. It is also used in producing household products like fitted sheets and microbead pillows. One of the lesser known uses of spandex is for interior decoration and event planning.
For example, spandex fabric is used for table coverings and latex chair coverings. Instead of the conventional table cloth, a well fitted spandex table covering will give a modern look to the dining area. Nowadays, chair covering and chair bands made from spandex are more used as cloth shrinks after long use, while spandex fabric fits perfectly and can be used for a long time. Disadvantages of Spandex. As discussed earlier, there are many advantages of spandex fabric with its flexibility, durability, comfort, fit and so on.
However, it also has few disadvantages. Spandex material is not a breathable fabric and traps moisture, sweat, bad odor within the garment which may lead to skin infection.
These issues can be removed by combining cotton or other breathable materials with spandex. Spandex is very sensitive to heat due its chemical formation and does not absorb liquid. Hence, washing spandex in hot water, using iron or machine drying can permanently damage the fabric. So valuable is DuPont's spandex technology that it was the subject of an extortion attempt 10 years ago. After a globe-trotting chase that included stops in Wilmington, Del. The operation went awry, but the Swiss police ended up nabbing the extortionists on the rebound in a Geneva parking lot.
Ladies' foundation garments are still the foundation of the spandex business, reports Robert L. Kirkwood, DuPont Lycra end use research manager. Spandex started a boom in the s, ushering in an era of "comfortable, soft-support pantyhose and other intimate apparel. In the s, cyclists traded in their woolen shorts for "aerodynamic" spandex shorts, and the versatile fiber began to find its way into dancewear, tights, and stretch jeans.
Email Address:. Wendy Ward. Skip to content. There are also lots of places you might be surprised to find spandex: some disposable nappies, bandages, car interiors, shoes, home textiles such as curtains, cushions, throws and carpets.
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Wendy Ward January 16, at am Reply. All Sew Petite January 14, at pm Reply. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:. Email required Address never made public.
Name required. Another fab day yesterday working with Fashion 1st years artanddesignshu thinking about longevity, favourite clothes and doing some nice slow hand stitching to let our minds wander Introducing another of my wellwornwellloved garments for my thepeopleswardrobe project - my trusty old dungarees.
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