Question: What is the difference between spandex and Lycra fibers? Is there any technical difference? And what are the fabric properties differ for cotton/spandex fabric and cotton/lycra fabric?
What is Lycra
Lycra is a product of DuPont for spandex fiber. Lycra® is a trademark and Brand name of DuPont Company. Spandex is a synonym for elastane fiber. Spandex or elastane specify properties of fiber (rubber-like stretchable) those are used in skin-tight clothes such as swimsuits, jeans, sports wears etc. There are other companies that also manufacture spandex fibers.
Difference Between Lycra and Spandex?
So, there is no technical difference between Lycra and Spandex. Both Lycra and Spandex are the same. Spandex is the generic name of fiber and Lycra is a spandex product of DuPont company.
When you are specifically using Lycra® product (spandex fiber) for your clothing products, if you name it Lycra there is no issue. But when you use spandex fiber manufactured by other companies better to call it spandex rather than Lycra.
image courtesy: tradekey.com
You may be heard that most companies market their product as spandex clothing.
The word ‘Spandex’ is only used in the USA and the rest of the world use ‘elastane’.
There is no difference in fabric properties, fabrics are made of cotton/spandex and cotton/Lycra blend. Fabric properties will vary based on what percentages of elastane (spandex) are used in the fibre. Like 90% cotton and 10% spandex fabric.
Know more about the uses of spandex.