What is Lycra?

Most people don’t realise but Lycra is a brand name. Lycra is made of an artificial material; a Polyurethane-polyurea polymer, invented in the 1950s. The chemist who invented it worked for DuPont. Lycra today is manufactured by Invista which used to be part of DuPont. The material is often referred to as Spandex which is derived from ‘expandable’, which it most certainly is with the ability to stretch to 600 times larger than the original item and return undamaged to its shape.

The vast majority of Spandex clothing sold around the world is produced via a method called solution dry spinning. Essentially monomers are reacted to produce the prepolymer. This is reacted further to form the fibres needed by manufacturers to produce garments.

As the fabric gained popularity it became more and more widely used is a huge variety of garments. However, we know it best in the sports world for the body hugging clothing that makes us aerodynamic, keeps us warm, prevents chafing, and wears well.