Lycra Fabric

About Lycra Fabric

Lycra fabric is also known as spandex or elastane because of its exceptional elasticity quality. Lycra was first of all invented by by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1959 and this caused the revolution in the fabric industry.

Although Lycra fabric is the type of Spandex fabric yet there is a difference between the two. Lycra is the registered trademark of Invista, formerly DuPont. Whereas Spandex is a general category of fabric that has been defined by the federal trade comission.

Lycra spandex fabric consists of polymer chains with having rigid and flexible portions giving the lycra fabric the ability to stretch and retain its shape significantly. Among all the types the nylon lycra is the most popular and extensively used for making the women's undergarments.

Characteristics of Lycra Fabric

• Garments made from lycra fabrics are light in weight.
• These are very comfortable and breathable.
• Lycra fabric dries very quickly and also very easy to dye.
• Also the lycra spandex fabric is resistant to bacteria and UV rays.
• It is resistant to abrasion.
• It is resistant to dry heat.

Lycra Fabric Uses

Lycra fabric is used in making almost all kinds of garments. But the most popular ones are undergarments and swimsuits. You will definitely find these garments made from lycra fabric.

Then there are orthopedic compression garments that are made from the lycra spandex fabric. These compression garments include surgical hose, support hose, cycling shorts, wrestling singlet, foundation garments and motion capture suits.

Recently new innovation of Lycra fabric saree has been done.

This fabric is used for making sports garments like shorts, netball bodysuit, ski pants, gloves, leggings etc.

Also the lycra fabric is used for making disco jeans that is in these days.

Apart from teh garments, lycra fabric is used in making home furnishing products like microbead pillows.