Textile & Fashion World

LYCRA® is a man-made elastic fibre invented and produced only by DuPont . It is INVISTA's trademark for a synthetic fabric material with elastic properties of the sort known generically as "spandex". Lycra is commonly used in athletic or active clothing. Lycra as a clothing material is fetishized by some people, perhaps on the basis that the garment forms a "second skin" that acts as a fetishistic surrogate for the wearer's own skin. This is known as lycra fetishism. Lycra is normally one of the fabrics in leggings.

LYCRA can be stretched four to seven times its initial length, yet springs back to it’s original length once tension is released. While Lycra appears to be a single continuous thread, it is in reality a bundle of tiny filaments. 

Properties of Lycra Yarn:

• Heat : Sticks at 350-390F. Melts above 500F.
• Bleaches &Solvents : Good resistance to oxidizing agents. Poor resistance to bleaches.
• Acids & Alkalis : Good
• Abrasion : Good in diluted (weak), but degrades in strong acids & bases.
• Mildew, Aging &Sunlight : Excellent aging and mildew resistance. Good resistance to sunlight.

Attributes of Lycra 

• Made from premium quality materials
• Long life and strong structure
• Unique weave pattern
• Ideally suited for industrial as well as household applications

How to Lycra yarn is used?
Lycra is never used alone; it is always combined with another fiber (or fibers), natural or man-made. Fabrics enhanced with lycra retain the appearance of the majority fibre.

The type of fabric and it’s end use determine the amount and type of Lycra required to ensure optimum performance and aesthetics. As little as 2 percent Lycra is enough to improve a fabric’s movement, drape and shape retention, while fabrics for high-performance garments such as swimwear and active sportwear may contain as much as 20-30 percent Lycra. Weaving or knitting techniques, togheter with fabric type and end use, determine whether Lycra is used in a bare or covered yarn form. 

Application/Uses of Lycra Yarn:

Widely used for weaving items like

1. Apparels
2. Socks & stockings
3. Seamless garments
4. Gloves
5. Sweaters
6. Swimwear
7. Narrow fabrics
8. Smocking
9. Medical bandages
10. Head bandages
11. Wrist bands 

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