Heat-setting stabilises dimensions and stretch: fabric with elastane usually passes on the stenter at about 170–195°C for a few tens of seconds, so width and GSM stay constant and the edges do not curl. If setting is too weak, the fabric keeps shrinking in washing; if too strong, the elastane loses power or the fabric yellows. Temperature and time depend on the fibre and the type of elastane. Ask for the finished width and the stretch recovery, not just the elastane percentage in the composition.
elastaneheat-settingstenter
