Spandex (Elastane) Yarn for
Sportswear.

GSM Range

• Running and training base layers: 160–180 GSM (spandex 8–12%, 20D–30D bare) • Performance training tops and shorts: 180–210 GSM (spandex 12–15%, 30D–40D) • Compression tights and leggings: 200–240 GSM (spandex 18–22%, 40D–70D) • Team kit and competition suits: 180–220 GSM (application-specific, often 20–25% spandex) • Recovery wear / light compression: 220–260 GSM (high spandex for sustained compression delivery)

Yarn Count

• Base polyester in polyester-spandex blends: 75D/72F to 150D/288F (filament preferred over spun) • Base nylon in nylon-spandex blends: 40D/34F to 80D/68F • Spandex component: 20D–70D bare; 40D–140D covered (depending on target compression and construction weight) • Covered spandex wrap: 20D–40D nylon or polyester over 20D–40D spandex core

Knit Construction

• Single jersey (polyester-spandex): Training tops and casual sportswear — lightweight, adequate stretch, lowest cost • Interlock (polyester-spandex): More stable, better for printed team kit, higher opacity at same GSM • 4-way stretch interlock: Compression tights, leggings — requires dual-feed spandex setup at mill • Rib constructions: Waistbands, cuffs — typically 1x1 or 2x2 rib with 8–12% single-covered spandex • Warp knit (tricot/Raschel): Technical performance fabrics for cycling, triathlon — highest dimensional precision

Shrinkage

• Polyester-spandex blends, heat-set: 2–4% length, 1–2% width after first wash at 40°C • Nylon-spandex blends: 3–5% length, 2–3% width (nylon has slightly higher moisture regain) • Without heat setting: 6–10% length shrinkage — not acceptable for compression garments Heat setting at 180–190°C for 20–40 seconds is mandatory for compression garments. Without it, the garment will exhibit permanent set (stretch-and-stay) rather than compression recovery.

Pilling Resistance

• Polyester filament-spandex: 4/5 Martindale (spandex can contribute micro-pilling at high-abrasion zones) • Nylon-spandex: 4–5/5 (nylon's higher abrasion resistance protects spandex better) • Bare spandex at exposed knit surfaces: 2–3/5 — covered spandex or tight knit encapsulation needed

Colorfastness

• Wash fastness (ISO 105-C06): 3–4 on spandex component; 4–5 on polyester base • Light fastness (ISO 105-B02): 4–5 (polyester-spandex); 3–4 (nylon-spandex — nylon's acid dyes have lower light stability) • Rubbing fastness (dry): 4; (wet): 3–4 • Chlorine resistance (ISO 105-E03): 2–3 standard spandex; 4–5 chlorine-resistant variants

Tensile Strength

• Spandex filament alone: 6–12 cN/tex (significantly lower than base fibres — spandex is not the structural element) • Polyester-spandex fabric (ISO 13934-1 strip test): 180–280 N/5cm depending on GSM and construction • Seam strength on flatlock: 120–180 N (ASTM D1683)

MOQ Guidance

• Standard polyester-spandex interlock (88/12): 500–1,000 kg per colour • Custom compression constructions (graduated compression, multi-zone fabrics): 1,000–2,500 kg • Nylon-spandex for premium compression: 1,000–2,000 kg (higher yarn cost concentrates minimum runs) • Covered spandex constructions: 800–1,500 kg (covered yarn MOQs are higher upstream)