Polyurethane/Elastomeric/

Spandex/ Lycra FIBRE

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 Elastomeric Fibre

❑ Fibres which have an extension at break in excess of 200% and also

have the property of rapid recovery when the tension is released.

❑ Natural Rubber is an elastomeric fibre.

Limitation of Natural Rubber

❑ Poor elastic recovery,

❑ Poor tensile strength,

❑ Poor resistance to abrasion,

❑ Poor dyeability

❑ Coarser.

POLYURETHANE/ELASTOMERIC/
SPANDEX/ LYCRA FIBRE

A manufactured fibre in which the fibre forming

substance is a long chain synthetic polymer 3
containing at least 85% of segmented polyurethane. 3

R-NCO + R’-OH R-NHCOO-R’

Urethane group
 Mechanism of Spandex fibres

Long segments/ soft segments: very flexible nature, rubbery and non-
crystalline. These segment folded (coil) upon themselves and generally
present in random arrangement. These soft segments are easily
deformed so that a low stress produces high extension. The coiled soft
segments are straightened out when the fibre is stretched; when it is
released they recoil.

Short segments / hard segments: aligned, cross- linked and

crystalline and have strong inter-chain

forces. These hard segments are not deformed during the stretch.

Mechanism of Spandex fibres

 Polymer Production
(I) Production of Low Molecular Weight Polymer
(Pre-polymer)
Polyester Type:

Polyether Type:

Polymer Production
(2) Reaction of Pre-polymer with di-isocyanate
 Polymer Production
(3) Coupling of Isocyanate-terminated Pre-
polymer to form Segmented Polyurethane

Fibre Spinning

❑ Linear (Soluble) Polyurethanes: Solution Spinning:

Linear molecule are soluble in solvents.

Soluble polyurethanes are dissolved in an

appropriate solvent like dimethyl foramide or

dimethyl acetamide, and the solutions may
be
extruded through spinnerets into a coagulating bath (wet spinning) or
into an atmosphere which removes the solvent (dry spinning).
 Fibre Spinning

Branched or Cross-linked (Insoluble) Polyurethanes: Branched or cross-

linked (three dimensional) structures are insoluble in solvent. So solution
spinning is not possible. In this case, a ‘chemical spinning or reaction
spinning’ process may be used.
The isocyanate-terminated pre-polymers forms a viscous dope and then it goes
into the spinneret .when the filaments are getting out and comes in contact with
the gaseous or liquid environment containing a chain extender (Diol) which
diffuses into the fibre and reacts to produce long chain polymer within the
filaments. Thus The pre-polymer molecules are linked into their final form,
producing the
branched or cross-linked polyurethane in fibrous form.

Chemical Spinning or Reaction Spinning

 Chemical Spinning or Reaction Spinning

Polymer System of Polyurethene

❑ The elastomeric polymer system is held together by a significant

number of cross-links.

❑ When the filament is at rest (not stretched or extended), its

polymer is predominantly amorphous. This is largely due to the
presence of flexible segments

❑ The rigid section tends to be more aligned. This causes

the polar groups of polyurethane groups in these

segments to form hydrogen bonds.
 Polymer System of Polyurethene

❑ The alignment of the rigid segments restricts the attract in and

entry of water molecules; hence elastomeric fibres are hydrophobic
in nature.

❑ When elastomeric fibre is stretched, their polymers unfold their

flexible segments. At the same time, rigid segment tend to align
themselves so that the polymer system become quite crystalline.

Polymer System of Polyurethene

Muksit Ahamed Chowdhury,

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 Physical Properties:
❑ Tenacity: Elastomeric filaments are weak. Because of their
segmented structure, spandex fibres may be made stronger than
natural rubber filaments.

Because of the hydrophobic nature of the fibres, the tenacity is

unaffected whether dry or wet.

❑ Elongation: The breaking elongations range from 450 to 700%

❑ Elastic-plastic nature: Polyurethane fibres have excellent

elastic recovery properties.
❑ Hygroscopic nature: Elastomeric are hydrophobic.
❑ Thermal properties: Elastomerics are thermoplastic in nature &
sensitive to heat. Excessive application of heat may result in a
complete loss of the excellent elastic property.

Chemical Properties:
❑ Effect of Acids: Elastomeric textile materials in general are
resistance to acids.

❑ Effect of Alkalis: Elastomeric fibre of the polyester type are

sensitive to alkalis such as laundry liquors. But polyether type are
alkali resistant.

❑ Effect of bleaches: Hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) is the only

bleach that can be safely used on elastomeric textile materials.

❑ Effect of sunlight and weather: Elastomers shows good

resistance to degrading effects of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
 Forms of Spandex Yarns and their Uses:

❑ Bare: Easy and less expensive covering operation. But

comparatively non-uniform stretching, lower strength and
lower abrasion resistance.

Use in producing light weight garments like hosiery, sock,

etc.
❑ Covered:
Improved uniformity of stretch,
improved abrasion resistance,
higher strength, and

greater control in weaving and knitting

Used in foundation garments, swimwear, etc.

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Forms of Spandex Yarns and their Uses: 0

Covered
Bare yarn
yarn