Spandex fiber physical properties

The physical characteristics of current commercial mbber and spandex fibers are summarized ia Table 1. Typical stress—straia curves for elastomeric fibers, hard fibers, and hard fibers with mechanical stretch properties ate compared ia Eigute 1. 

Solvent Resistance. Elastomeric fibers tend to swell in certain organic solvents mbber fibers swell in hydrocarbon solvents such as hexane. Spandex fibers become highly swollen in chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethylene [127-18-4] (Perclene). Although the physical properties of spandex fibers return to normal after the solvent evaporates, considerable amounts of its stabilizers may have been extracted. Therefore, the development of stabilizers that are more resistant to solvent extraction has become important as solvent scouring during mill processing replaces aqueous scouring at many mills, especially in Europe (26). 

Spandex has better mechanical and physical properties than rubber fiber in terms of tenacity, modulus, anti-aging, linear density, and dye ability. Dry spun spandex has round, oval, or dumbbell shaped filament cross-sections, while wet spun spandex has mainly irregular filament profiles. In some spandex fiber, the filament fusion can be so strong that fibers merge into one another. Melt spun spandex is produced as monofilaments or multifilaments of predominantly round cross-sections and smooth surface. 

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