It was an American gentleman, Joseph Benger, from Virginia, who invented spandex in 1958. Also known as lycra or elastase, the extraordinary property spandex has is its elasticity. It can expand up to 6 times its length. It is a synthetic fibre and is very popular. It is a petroleum by-product.
Some of the excellent properties of Spandex are that is highly elastic –it can return to its original shape after being stretched in use. It allows the cotton or wool to retain their feel as the percentage of spandex is small. It also dries fast and allows the cotton, polyester, or wool is added to wick moisture away fast. It is very comfortable to wear and cannot be broken down when exposed to sweat, detergents, lotions, or body oils. It is lightweight and can resist mildew and sunlight.
Spandex is very popular and is an excellent material for underwear, leggings, and other figure-hugging garments. Other uses of spandex are cycling shorts, jogging shorts, athletic shorts, slim-fit ladies’ jeans. Nowadays, it is also being used as a door panel for cars. It is also useful material for upholstery, where the elastic properties and hard-wearing characteristics are much in demand. The footwear industry is interested in incorporating spandex into sports shoes and also into ordinary shoes where the elasticity will provide greater comfort, especially to the elderly. It is nowadays also being greatly used in the high fashion industry. Lycra tights for men are also extremely popular.
Spandex doesn’t keep you warm. The material is too thin to provide enough insulation to trap your body heat. However, a thick combination of spandex with thicker fibres like cotton, polyester, or wool can give you sufficient warmth. There are various combinations with spandex that can keep you very warm.
Base Layer: — In the base layer, spandex is useful when you need a body-hugging but the light layer. It can trap the heat of our bodies easily. For example, synthetic thermal underwear combines polyesters, spandex, and nylon to absorb heat from your body easily. However, when combined with a thin layer of
wool, it keeps you nice and warm. The wool element also wicks away moisture, so you are not left swimming in your sweat.
The Middle Layer: —If you want something warm like a fleece or woollen jumper and warm trousers, then often a combination of natural and man-made fibres works well–and spandex can play a part. Fleece is usually made from cotton or polyester mix, which gives it not only a better elasticity but also helps the garment regain its original shape after even the hardest wear. The spandex enables the fleece to last longer than if it was made from just wool, polyester, or cotton.
The top layer: — The top layer protects you from the elements and needs to be tough and durable. A material like Gore-Tex contains about 15% spandex and also has tiny holes to allow fluids to pass out.
Best Women’s spandex winter thermal wholesale rates are easy on various online websites for export orders.
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