I want to know, I really want to know how Lycra suits are going to be allowed under the new suit regime. Is Lycra really a textile? I want to know, really want to know why this particular man-made polyurethane-based material is somehow approvable, whereas the polyurethan-based material in the latest tech suits is somehow not approvable.
From lycra.com (www.lycra.com/.../webpage.aspx
Product.
LYCRA fiber is a man-made elastane fiber.
From Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/.../Spandex):
Spandex—or elastane—is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than rubber, its major non-synthetic competitor. It is a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer that was invented in 1959 by DuPont chemist Joseph Shivers. When first introduced, it revolutionized many areas of the clothing industry.
"Spandex" is a generic name and not derived from the chemical name of the fiber, as are most manufactured fibers, but an anagram of the word expands. "Spandex" is the preferred name in North America; elsewhere it is referred to as "elastane".citation needed]
The most famous brand name associated with spandex is Lycra, a trademark of Invista (formerly part of DuPont). Such is the prominence of the Lycra brand that it has become a genericized trademark in many parts of the world, used to describe any kind of spandex. Invista discourages such use, protecting its trademark vigorously.
I think the word textile is the operative term here. A textile is:
fabric: artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers;
We know lycra is a synthetic fiber. I would therefore think it is a textile suit or garment based on how it is constructed or created. I do not think the current tech suits are woven, hence they are not textiles. If you look at your lycra suit after it has expired you can clearly see it is woven.
Good grief, if it isn't a textile, what the hell are we gonna wear? Racing in an endurance jammer is rough.
I think the word textile is the operative term here. A textile is:
fabric: artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers;
So, presumably, some intrepid swimsuit company could weave the B70 material with something else?
I just really hope, once the rules are really, really final that the governing bodies produce a list of approved and non-approved suits for those of us without degrees in material science. I have to believe that coaches, parents, officials and us lowly masters swimmers will need black & white on what we can and can't wear without having to read bureaucratise.
If Lycra banned for swim suits wiil they be banned for all sports?? Track, cycling etc?
When I sold ladies wear on the road, I was told that Lycra was stretchy because the fibre was twisted and extruded in a manner that created the stretch and compression.
Just had a nutty thought (I have lots of these): Namely, what would happen if you took a pair of polyester jammers and dipped them in the rubberizing stuff that they sell at Home Depot. It's that stuff that people put cotton gloves in to make them waterproof.
-LBJ
Let us know how this goes ... where there's a rule, there's a way around the rule.
I think the so-called "rubber" suits are still lycra, but with a coating applied. Sort of like the coating on raincoat fabric. Lycra suit fabric is a knit, which contributes to the stretchiness. Descriptions I've read of "paper" suit fabric suggest that the yarn used is the same, but it's woven on a loom instead of knitted, which would make it slightly less stretchy.
Racing in an endurance jammer is rough.
Interesting. For the last 7 years I've used TYR Durafast jammers for both racing and practice. I've gotten faster (via training and not the suit) since I last used lycra jammers for a race, but perhaps I should try them again for races.
Just out of curiosity, can you really feel the difference or is it purely a matter of faster times in the lycra?
-LBJ
Just had a nutty thought (I have lots of these): Namely, what would happen if you took a pair of polyester jammers and dipped them in the rubberizing stuff that they sell at Home Depot. It's that stuff that people put cotton gloves in to make them waterproof.
Assuming that the suit didn't dissolve in the liquid, I guess you might need to find a way to spin it to remove the excess rubber gunk from the fibers while it was still wet. (I really don't think The Court Without Appeal would rule favorably on me using the washer for this.)
Hmmm.... I DO have some old jammers. I DO have a couple of dollars for a trip to Home Depot. The Court Without Appeal IS going out with her sister for the afternoon...
-LBJ
As I understand the rules(and they may change,and who knows what applies to masters anymore) it is OK for the manufacturer to put waterproofing on the suit,but adding it later is not.In fact I am not sure that any waterproofing is legal any more.