Spandex, also known as elastane, doesn’t contribute to waterproofing either. The water resistance of a fabric depends on various factors, including the type of treatment applied, fabric density, and construction.
How Is Spandex Fabric Made?
Since spandex is a fully synthetic fiber, no organic components are used to make this material. Instead, all of the constituent parts of this fiber are made in a laboratory setting, and they are then combined under specific stimuli to create spandex fabric.
In the years since the invention of elastane, a number of different methods for making this fabric have emerged. Some of these methods are more efficient than others, and, over time, methods like reaction spinning, melt extrusion, and solution wet spinning have mostly been discarded. Nearly 95 percent of the worlds spandex is now made with a method called solution dry spinning, and it is this manufacturing process that we will examine in detail.
To begin the spandex fabric production process, a substance called macroglycol is mixed with a diisocyanate monomer under specific heat and pressure. The temperature and pressure conditions must be exact to produce the desired results, and the macroglycol and diisocyanate monomer must also be in a ratio approximate to 1:2.
If the right conditions are applied, a substance called a prepolymer is formed, and this substance is then used in the remainder of the production process. Once it has formed, the prepolymer is exposed to diamine acid, and a chemical reaction called chain extrusion reaction is initiated.
Subrtex 2-Piece Print Jacquard Spandex Fabric Stretch Chair Slipcovers, Gray
The resulting substance is highly viscous, and it must be diluted with a solvent before it can move on to the next step. When it is thin enough to work with, the prepolymer is loaded into a machine called a fiber production cell or a cylindrical spinning cell.
Inside this machine is a device called a spinneret, which has dozens of tiny holes. As the fiber production cell spins, the prepolymer solution is forced through these holes, and it takes on the form of strands of fabric. These strands, however, are still in a liquid state when they emerge from the spinneret, and they are then exposed to heated solvent gas and nitrogen to render them into a solid state.
These solid fibers are then pushed out of the cylindrical spinning cell, and when they are exposed to pressurized air, they form into twisted strands. This compressed air can form strands of many different sizes.
Lastly, the spandex fiber is immersed in a finishing agent consisting of magnesium stearate or a similar chemical. Once it is loaded onto a spool, it is ready to be woven into fabric.
Shop a wide variety of spandex fabrics here for US and rest of world here and here if you are UK based.
What Different Types of Spandex Fabric Are There?
Even when different production methods are used to make spandex, the end result is chemically the same. However, confusion can ensue due to the different terms that are used to describe this fabric:
- Spandex: This term is not a trademark, and it is, in fact, an anagram of “expands.” Spandex was never intended to be the primary term used to refer to elastane fabric, but the term stuck in the consumer mind, and most Americans and Canadians now refer to this textile with this term.
- Elastane: Most Europeans use variants of the term “elastane” to refer to this type of fabric. Elastane is the most chemically correct way of referring to this fabric.
- Lycra: This term is a registered trademark of the DuPont Corporation. Only spandex made by DuPont can be called Lycra, but this fabric is chemically identical to fabrics that are called spandex or elastane, and it has the same attributes.
Nylon Spandex Waterproof Fabric
FAQ
What happens when spandex gets wet?
What fabric is water-resistant?
What material is stretchy and waterproof?
Does spandex retain water?
Is spandex heat resistant?
Like other polymers, spandex is made from repeating chains of monomers that are held together with an acid. Early in the spandex development process, it was recognized that this material is highly heat-resistant, which means that notoriously heat-sensitive fabrics like nylon and polyester are improved when combined with spandex fabric.
Is spandex a good fabric?
Comfort: Lightweight, supple, and comfortable to wear, spandex fabric. It’s a popular option for activewear and athleisure because it’s breathable and allows for freedom of movement. Versatility: Spandex can be blended with other fibers, such as cotton, polyester, or nylon, to create a range of different fabrics with unique properties
Is spandex good for sportswear?
Like the other synthetic fibers, spandex has a set of distinct quality attributes. Adding it to other fibers allows fabrics made with this blend to have higher elasticity. It also has high breathability and high moisture-wicking abilities, which are the right qualities for fiber used in fabrics made for any sportswear.
What are the properties of spandex fabric?
Once the spandex fabric is woven or knitted, it is typically treated with various finishing agents to enhance its properties. These agents may include softeners to improve the feel of the fabric or coatings to increase its durability and resistance to moisture and chemicals. Some of the key properties of spandex fabric include: Stretchability