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.
Former Member
So my ScotchGuarded (TM) control top nude-toe pantyhose won't be legal?
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.
While this may be true, I know it is also common practice to use waterproofing sprays to extend the life, and keep the fabric stiffer, for textile-based suits like the TYR Aquapel and others. No meet official could ever tell it was used.
Once again, when the technology cat is out of the bag, it's really hard to get it back in. It is true -- given a rule there's a way around it.
Recently I was talking about the suit issue with one of our former club swimmers that now lives and trains in Arizona. While talking about the gradual loss of water repellency of the fastskin suits he said that while in college, it was common practice to use Scotchguard on them to make them last a little longer.
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
The FINA rule includes a provision that prohibits suits from having more than 50% of their surface area covered in non-permeable materials or no more than 25% each of the upper or lower portion of a suit.
The B70 is essentially a lycra suit coated with a rubber-like material. Your Home Depot solution wouldn't pass the test assuming you covered the entire suit. The FINA ruling doesn't allow home-brew solutions anyway so unless you become a manufacturer and submit it to FINA for approval - it is irrelevent.
The FINA ruling doesn't allow home-brew solutions anyway so unless you become a manufacturer and submit it to FINA for approval - it is irrelevent.
I have no concern about whether it is FINA-legal or not. I am more interested in the experiment and the result. Keep in mind also that given the way that open water is going, it may be legal there. Finally, I am strictly old school in my beliefs about swim apparel FOR ME.
I am, however, curious.
-LBJ
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.
Pretty soon they'll require that each swimmer weave or knit their own (with proof.)
I have no concern about whether it is FINA-legal or not. I am more interested in the experiment and the result. Keep in mind also that given the way that open water is going, it may be legal there. Finally, I am strictly old school in my beliefs about swim apparel FOR ME.
I am, however, curious.
-LBJ
Try it - and let us know how it works. I think the Home Depot rubber dip will not be flexible enough and it will be too difficult to apply thin in a DIY style.
But since I haven't tried it - what do I know?