Elastomeric Fibres - fibres with elastic capability

R.Senthil Kumar,
Assistant Professor (SRG),
Department of Textile Technology,
KCT,Coimbatore-49,
Tamil Nadu, India
sen29iit@yahoo.co.in
 Elastomeric Fibres
• Elastomeric fibers are those fibers that possess extremely high
elongations  (400%-800%) at break and that recover fully and
rapidly from high elongations up to their breaking point.

• Elastomeric fibers include the cross linked natural and

synthetic rubbers, spandex fibers (segmented polyurethanes),
anidex fibers (cross linked polyacrylates) and the side-by-side
biconstituent fiber of nylon and spandex (Monvelle).

• The fibers are all used in specialized applications where high

elasticity is necessary within the textile structure.
 SPANDEX

• Spandex fibers are elastomeric fibers that are >85% segmented polyurethane
formed through reaction of a diisocyanate with polyethers or polyesters and
subsequent cross linking of polyurethane units.

• The spandex fibers resemble rubber in both stretch and recovery properties,
but are far superior to rubber in their resistance to sunlight, heat, abrasion,
oxidation, oils, and chemicals. They find the widest use of any of the
elastomeric fibers.

• Spandex is widely used and sold as an elastomeric fiber under that

designation or under such trade names as Cleerspan, Glospan, Lycra, or
Numa.

• Spandex possesses excellent elastomeric properties and acceptable aesthetics

for use in constructions requiring such a fiber. Spandex is dull, but luster may
be improved with brighteners.
 Anidex

• Anidex fibers are defined as fibers containing

polymers that are at least 50% of one or more
polymerized acrylate esters. Anidex fibers are
formed through emulsion copolymerization of
acrylate esters with reactive crosslinkable
comonomers such as -methylolacrylamide.
 Nylon-Spandex Biconstituent Fiber

• An inherent problem with elastomeric fibers is their

low strength and limited abrasion resistance. A new
biconstituent elastomeric fiber-Monvelle-- has been
introduced to answer these problems. The fiber is a
side-by-side bicomponent fiber containing nylon and
spandex. The fiber is melt spun by special spinnerets
to form the fiber.