What Are Spandex, Lycra, and Elastane?

1. SPANDEX

DEFINITION: A synthetic fiber made from a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer known for its superior stretch and recovery properties.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME: The word "spandex" comes from the rearrangement of the letters of "expands," reflecting its excellent stretchability.

USES: Used primarily in the United States and Asia.

FEATURES:

1) Can stretch to 500-700% of its original length.

2) Lightweight and soft, resistant to body oils, sweat, and detergents.

3) Often blended with cotton, polyester, or nylon for added stretch.

2. LYCRA®

DEFINITION: A brand of spandex developed by The Lycra Company (formerly DuPont).

ORIGIN OF THE NAME: Lycra was registered as a trademark in 1958 and became synonymous with high-quality stretch fabrics.

USES: Used worldwide, but associated with high-end performance clothing.

FEATURES:

1) Has better shape retention and durability than regular spandex.

2) Used in high-performance sportswear, swimwear, and medical compression garments.

3) Resistant to chlorine, UV rays, and thermal degradation (depending on treatment).

3. SPANDEX

DEFINITION: European term for the same polyurethane-based fiber.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME: Derived from "elastic" + "ane" (a common suffix in chemical names).

USES: Preferred in Europe, Australia, and some other regions.

FEATURES:

1) Same chemical composition as spandex.

2) Used interchangeably in fabric descriptions (e.g., "95% cotton, 5% spandex").

Chemical Composition & Manufacturing

All three fibers are made from polyurethane and are produced using a dry spinning process:

PREPOLYMER FORMATION: Reaction of a polyester or polyether diol with a diisocyanate.

CHAIN GROWTH: Addition of a diamine compound to form long polymer chains.

SPINNING: Extrusion of the solution into fibers, which cure on contact with air.

FINISHING: Treatment of the fibers to make them more durable, soft, and resistant to environmental factors.

LYCRA® may also have other proprietary treatments to achieve the following:

1) Higher resilience (better snap-back).

2) Moisture wicking (for sportswear).

3) Chlorine resistance (for swimwear).

Key Differences Between Spandex, Lycra, and Elastane