About ELASPAN® Fiber Introducing ELASPAN® Fiber What is ELASPAN® Fiber? ELASPAN® Fiber Physical Properties ELASPAN® Fiber Chemical Properties Dyeing & Finishing Fabrics with ELASPAN® Fiber ELASPAN® Fiber End uses and Drafts ELASPAN® Fiber Products Garment Fabrication with ELASPAN® Fiber ELASPAN® Fiber Handling, Packaging & Storage ELASPAN® Fiber End uses and Drafts As with other elastomeric fibers, ELASPAN® fiber is used to impart stretch and recovery properties to a normal textile yarn or fabric. ELASPAN® fiber is used bare in: - Circular knitting - Warp knitting Or air-intermingled, conventionally or core-spun covered for weaving of: - Outerwear - Active & Sportswear - Intimate Apparel ELASPAN® fiber, as with other spandex (elastane) fibers, is almost never used alone, and is usually in the final textile fabric to maximize wear and durability of the spandex. To create stretch and recovery, and to optimize economics, ELASPAN® fiber should be drafted (stretched) during the textile process. There is an optimum draft for each textile application that achieves the desired stretch, modulus and cost performance. This is not always the maximum draft capability of the spandex (elastane). The enclosed ELASPAN® fiber draft data sheet shows typical drafts for both the conventional and air-jet covering processes. Additionally, we provide information on how to calculate true drafts actually used, when compensating for package relaxation. Greater drafts are used in core spinning, and lower drafts in bare knitting. Drafts are affected by the nature of the textile machinery, the accompanying hard yarn, condition of equipment, speed, humidity, and temperature. In knitting, yarn tension is often the measure of control. As above, knitting tensions are affected by the nature of the textile machinery, the accompanying hard yarn, condition of equipment, speed, humidity, and temperature. It is the stretching of the spandex and the subsequent retraction of the textile fabric that imparts stretch. Strength of retraction, usually dependent on spandex (elastane) decitex, provides power to the finished garment. ELASPAN® Fiber Products ELASPAN® fiber is supplied in a range of dtexes (22-940) with clear and semi-dull lusters. Additional dtexes may be available upon request. All decitex items contain an inert silicone base finish that acts as a lubricant in processing and reduces tack during storage. Packages are narrow tubes, typically available in weights of 500 grams for all but the finer 22/33 decitex items. Garment Fabrication with ELASPAN® Fiber Cutting and sewing of fabrics containing ELASPAN® fiber is similar to other stretch textiles. Avoid fabric distortion in cutting and handling; use proper needles, stitches, and sewing thread; avoid stick or high friction finishes on the fabric to be sewn. Finished garments should be stored in cartons or plastic wrappers that are free from BHT antioxidants which can cause garment discoloration. ELASPAN® Fiber Handling, Packaging & Storage Storage of ELASPAN® fibers should be in a pollution free atmosphere not to exceed 25°C in temperature and RH 65% ~ 70%. Under these conditions shelf life is typically one year. Shelf life is affected by the nature and cleanliness of the storage facility including variation in humidity and temperature and will depend on the yarn decitex. The finest decitex items have a shelf life in the range of six to seven months. Additional information can be found elsewhere on the website.