Elastic fabrics that don't need elastomeric yarns.(Fabrics)

How to make elastic fabrics without the inclusion of relatively expensive elastomeric yarns is the subject of US Patent 6 668 598. Japan's Asahi Kasei KK's warp-knit constructions contain fibres with latent crimp and, the Osaka-based inventor claims, they:

* have an ability to stretch 60% in both the warp and weft directions;

* have a residual strain, at 60% elongation recovery, of 15% or less in both warp and weft directions;

* show little lowering of stretch even after dyeing at high temperatures, repeated laundering and repeated stretching.