Garment & Textile · Fibre
Spandex / Elastane / Lycra
Segmented polyurethane fibre giving 500–700% stretch.
Origin
Global
Era
Modern (since 1958)
Also known as
Elastane, Lycra
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Video
Industrialist View
Invista (LYCRA®), Hyosung (Creora®), Asahi Kasei (ROICA®). 2–15% blend in most stretch fabrics. Sensitive to chlorine, heat.
Tailor & Garment-Worker View
Feed evenly — use woolly nylon in looper, ball-point needle, slight differential feed (1.2) to prevent waviness.
Sourcing
USA, Korea, Japan.
Construction & Use
Melt-spun or dry-spun; degrades under UV/chlorine after 2–3 years.