With the development of the textile industry, new types of fibers are emerging one after another. There are many that I can’t even name, and it’s even harder to tell them apart when you encounter them! Among the many new fibers, one is often seen in the ingredient lists of clothing fabrics, and it is Lycra fiber. What is Lycra fiber? What are its advantages and disadvantages? Let’s find out together!
01 Get to know Lycra fiber
“Lycra” is the transliteration of the English word LYCRA. As a spandex elastic fiber, it is a block molecular segment polyurethane composed of flexible segments and rigid segments. It was successfully researched by the German company Bayer in 1937 and started to be produced by the American DuPont Company in 1959. It is the registered trademark of DuPont’s spandex fiber. Because of its many advantages and good quality, it is recognized by peers, so as long as Lycra is used in clothing, it will be hung with a triangle hangtag, which has also become a symbol of high quality.
Although Lycra fiber is a synthetic elastic fiber, also known as spandex in the United States, and spandex and elastic fiber are the common names of the same substance, only the Lycra company produces real LYCRA® (Lycra®) fiber.
So, what is the difference between spandex and Lycra?
02 The difference between spandex and Lycra
1) Lycra is a type of spandex, but spandex is not necessarily Lycra. Lycra has better performance than ordinary spandex. It has a special chemical structure and is in a moist and heat-sealed space after getting wet. No mold will grow inside.
2) Spandex is a polymer compound elastic fiber spandex, also known as polyurethane fiber. It has advantages that other fibers cannot match, such as: light specific gravity, high breaking strength, high breaking elongation, good elastic recovery, etc.
3) The stretch of Lycra can reach 500%, and it can return to its original shape. The stretch of Lycra is far better than that of traditional elastic fibers. It can be stretched very easily and can still stick to the surface of human skin after recovery. The binding force on the human body is very small.
03 Characteristics of Lycra fiber
1) Wide range of fiber fineness. The fineness range of Lycra fiber is 22~4778 dtex, and the finest rubber yarn is 156 dtex. Because Lycra has a more even tension than other elastic fibers during the weaving process, fabrics containing Lycra have good flatness and a soft hand feel.
2) Higher strength and extensibility The strength of Lycra is 2 to 4 times that of rubber yarn. Because Lycra has greater elasticity than rubber yarn under the same elongation, fabrics containing Lycra have higher elasticity.
3) High temperature resistant elastic fabrics are generally made of a small amount of elastic fibers mixed with other fibers. Conventional synthetic fibers must undergo high-temperature heat treatment for heat setting and dyeing, so elastic fibers used for blending must also withstand high-temperature heat treatment. The heat setting temperature of Lycra yarn can reach 195°C, while the highest heat setting temperature of other brands of elastic fibers is 180~185°C. Therefore, under the same high temperature conditions, the stretch rate and resilience of Lycra-containing fabrics are more advantageous than other elastic fabrics.
4) Low washing shrinkage and growth rate The washing shrinkage and growth rate of fabrics are the main factors affecting the dimensional stability and wrinkle resistance of garments, and are also important indicators that reflect the deformation of fabrics and garments. The low washing shrinkage and growth rate indicate that the garment has good shape retention and the fabric is not easy to deform and wrinkle.
5) Good stretchability and resilience. Appropriate recovery and retention give elastic fabrics comfortable stretchability, shape retention, fit and formability. Lycra can be stretched to a length 7 times longer than the original without breaking; the retractability is also very good. When it is stretched by 50%, the retraction rate is greater than 99%; when it is stretched by 200%, the retraction rate is 97%; even if it is stretched When it is 500% longer, its shrinkage rate is also above 90%. The size of the shrinkage rate is related to the thickness of the yarn. The thicker the yarn, the greater the resilience.
6) Dyeable Lycra can be dyed with acid, metal complex, reactive and disperse dyes, while rubber thread is not easy to dye.
7) Anti-aging and anti-yellowing. Fabrics or processed clothing containing spandex silk will produce yellowing over time, repeated use or washing, while elastic blanks containing Lycra will become white after being left for three months. The whiteness is much better than other spandex fabrics, the whiteness is maintained 10% to 20% better than ordinary products, and it also has good aging resistance.
8) The wear resistance is good in the elongation range of 50% to 300%. After 200 fatigue tests per minute, it can withstand more than 1 million times without breaking, while rubber only has 240,000 times.
9) Lycra has good light resistance and chlorine resistance. When exposed to the light fastness tester for 40 hours, the strength is reduced by about 20%. The rubber wire is also exposed to the same irradiation, causing aging and losing all its strength.
Lycra has a certain degree of resistance to general chemicals, but is relatively sensitive to chlorine (such as NaClO bleach), which causes yellowing and damage to the fiber and causes it to lose elasticity and extensibility. This is one of its main disadvantages. . Relatively stable to oxygen-containing bleach.
04 The wide range of uses of Lycra
Lycra mainly appears in fabrics in the form of core-spun yarn/wrapped yarn/covered yarn and bare yarn. It has good dyeing properties and wearability, and has been widely used in textiles All areas of product production. Its application in the apparel industry is also very common, from light and thin underwear to heavy outerwear, from sportswear to fashion suits, etc.
1) Lycra of different fineness can be used in different fields. The fineness range of Lycra fiber is 22~4778 dtex. Lycra of different fineness can be used in different fields. Transparent stockings: 11~44 dtex; weft knitted fabrics: 22~195 dtex; warp knitted fabrics: 22~78 dtex; woven fabrics: 44~156 dtex; leg socks: 78~156 dtex; warp knitted fabrics for bras Objects: 156~540 dtex; narrow belts and belts: 156~1880 dtex; medical items: 156~1880 dtex; footwear: 620~940 dtex.
2) Lycra has different functions in different fabrics. Lycra has outstanding stretchability. For knitwear, its multi-directional extension is determined by the fabric itself, and Lycra only brings elasticity that stretches and recovers. Woven fabrics are only stretchable in the direction in which Lycra is woven, such as warp knitting (straight direction) or weft knitting (crosswise direction).
In woven fabrics: Lycra is used in warp yarns, and the fabric has longitudinal extensibility; when used in weft yarns, the fabric has transverse elasticity; when Lycra is used in both warp and weft yarns, the fabric has two-way elasticity .
In knitted fabrics: Lycra bare yarn is used in lightweight plain knitted fabrics in weft knitted fabrics; Lycra covered yarn is used in socks, cuffs of knitted pullovers, etc.; core-spun yarn Commonly used in lightweight jersey fabrics for knitted pullovers and underwear; wrapped yarn is commonly used in rib knitted fabrics. Lycra is used in warp knitted fabrics mainly to increase the extensibility of the fabric, making the garments have excellent applicability and comfort.
In narrow-band fabrics: Narrow-band fabrics are widely used in underwear and belts. Lycra provides high-performance stretch in swathed fabrics for durability and comfort. It can be used to produce thin and delicate decorative bands for modern ultra-light women’s underwear, improving and maintaining their shape and shape.
05 Advantages of Lycra used in clothing
1) It has good stretchability and elasticity, and is not easily deformed. Lycra is composed of spandex fiber, which can enhance the elasticity of the fabric and can be used in combination with various fibers, whether natural or Man-made fibers will not change the look and feel of the fabric. For example, wool + Lycra fabrics have good elasticity, and have better fit, shape retention, drape, washability, etc. Cotton + Lycra not only has the comfort and breathability advantages of cotton fibers, but also takes into account the advantages that cotton does not have. Its good elasticity and non-deformation characteristics make the fabric more close-fitting, fit, soft and comfortable. Lycra can add unique advantages to clothing, including comfort, freedom of movement and long-term shape retention.
2) Lycra can be used in any fabric. Lycra fabric has a very wide range of uses. It is generally not used alone, but in combination with other fabrics, and can be used in any fabric, such as: cotton knitted fabrics, double-sided wool fabrics, silk Poplin, nylon fabrics and different cottons, etc.
3) Comfort of Lycra Lycra fabric has good stretchability and will not make people feel depressed or uncomfortable. It is soft, comfortable and breathable when combined with cotton, knitted and other fabrics. Wearing clothing containing Lycra fiber provides a comfortable fit and freedom of movement, achieving the unity of appropriateness and comfort and meeting the needs of people in contemporary society for clothing.
4) The influence of Lycra on styles. The styles of clothes made of Lycra fabric are beautiful and diverse. After adding Lycra to the clothes, the close-fitting clothes are not tight; the clothes open and close appropriately, fit but not restrictive, and have better drape; Children’s clothing is full of vitality and can jump freely after wearing it. Even well-made suits and jackets will not feel tight or cramped at all. Adding Lycra to knitted fabrics such as sweatshirts, underwear and fitness pants will be both fit and comfortable, and can stretch freely and move as you want.
5) The design features of Lycra, whether it is a loose or slim design, are comfortable and natural to wear; it has good drape, no wrinkles, is not too loose, and fits perfectly, fully embodying the simple and elegant beauty; you can always enjoy it close to the body, and Stylish and beautiful.
06 Disadvantages of Lycra fabric
Lycra fabric has inherent flaws. First of all, a Lycra fabric must be blended with other fibers before it can be formed, otherwise it will be difficult to become a fabric that can be used directly; secondly, Lycra fabric is slightly less soft than modal, pure cotton and other fabrics; finally, Lycra The fabric has a shorter service life. At the same time, attention should also be paid to the maintenance and cleaning of Lycra fabrics. It is best to use ordinary neutral cleaning products for cleaning. </p
