If we read the information there, we will notice that most of our garments are made of blends of materials, not just one raw material. One of the common fibers that appears as an admixture is elastane, which is added to cotton, silk, wool and linen, among others. This is a very beneficial effect, because it improves the properties of the finished fabric, which we write more about later in the text.
What is Spandex?
Spandex, also known under the trade names spandex and lycra, is a synthetic fiber invented in the 1950s. Thanks to its properties, this material has revolutionized the clothing market. Why did this happen? Mainly due to very high extensibility, light weight and strength. Spandex fibers can be stretched up to 500 percent of their original length, and then return to their original shape without distortion.
In addition, the material is very smooth and pleasant to the touch, resistant to dirt, does not electrify or cause allergies. Provides freedom of movement and comfort even during intense exercise and sports. That is why it is used primarily for leggings and leggings, bathing suits and sports underwear, as well as dance costumes. However, elastane is very often used as an admixture to other fibers, because it significantly improves their properties.
The use of elastane as an admixture in fabrics
Although elastane can be used on its own, it is most often found in our clothes as an admixture with other fibers. Spandex is very easily combined with other fibers and that is why it is added to cotton, silk, linen or wool. Then a fabric is created with the properties of both fibers. Thanks to this, the finished garment does not deform so quickly and adheres better to the figure, because it stretches slightly during application. This also makes it more comfortable, because the garment will adapt to different figures and does not have to be sewn very precisely to a given size.
Fabrics with elastane wrinkle less and are also more durable - they will stay in good condition longer than, for example, pure cotton. However, when checking the labels of ready-made clothes, remember to choose fabrics with only a small addition of elastane, and mostly made of natural fibers. Such proportions of the mixture will make our clothing comfortable and fit on the one hand, and breathable and pleasant to the skin on the other..
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