Polymers - Clothing - Thinsulate - Breathable - Lycra - Elastic.
Thinsulate
is a synthetic material made from very thin
fibres (micofibres)
of poly(propene).
These micofibres are 10 times thinner than
hair.
The fibres are spun and woven into a
thin layer.
It is very good at trapping air which
makes it a good insulator.
The trapped air keeps you warm
and the holes between the fibres
make it breathable. The fibres are also good at
reflecting
infra-red
radiation which also keeps you warm.
Thinsulate is not waterproof but clothing can be made warm
and waterproof by combining
thinsulate with Goretex.
Lycra
is a type of clothing which is ideal for
sportswear.
Another name for Lycra is Spandex.
It is made by combining two different
polymers in alternating blocks.
One polymer is hard and crystalline, the other
is elastic.
This is called a block
copolymer.
Lycra combines the properties of elasticity with being hardwearing.
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