Recycled PET Elastic Cord for Underwear — Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Recycled PET Elastic Cord for Underwear: Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Recycled PET Elastic Cord is the version buyers specify for underwear when the base material is fixed by performance rather than by price. This entry sets out what the material actually changes, which specification to write into the tech pack, and where the cost sits — the three questions that decide whether the item passes bulk approval.
What it is
Recycled PET gives elastic cord its durability under wash and abrasion. In practice that means the trim behaves differently in cutting, in finishing and in wear: the finish has to be applied before assembly. Buyers who specify the material up front avoid the most common failure — an item that looks right on the sample card and behaves differently in bulk.
Typical specification
| Item | Elastic Cord |
|---|---|
| Base material | Recycled PET |
| Standard size | 8# Gauge |
| Common finishes | Pearlescent Coating, Anodised Finish, Gunmetal Finish |
| Processes | Warp Knitting, Brushing, UV Protection Finishing |
| Typical application | Underwear |
| Related applications | Coats, Blazers, Scarves, Dresses |
| Test standard | ISO 12947 Abrasion Resistance |
| Usual packing | 200 pieces per polybag, 2000 per carton |
Properties that matter in buying
- Dimensional stability — 1% allowance is built into the spec before cutting.
- Colour fastness — tested to ISO 12947 Abrasion Resistance on the actual base material, not on a substitute.
- Mechanical performance — abrasion resistance after 10 cycles or washes.
- Compliance — ISO 12947 Abrasion Resistance documentation issued with the shipment.
- Consistency — the approved counter sample becomes the reference for every reorder.
Common uses
- Coats
- Dresses
- Luggage
- Bridal Gowns
- Footwear
- Shirts
How to specify it
- Name the base material in the tech pack, not just the item.
- Fix the size and tolerance in writing before sampling starts.
- Approve a counter sample made from the actual bulk base material.
- Order the test report against the standard your market requires.
- Retain a golden sample at the factory and a second one with you.
Related reading
Related specifications on this site cover swivel hook, webbing tape, bra strap, wooden button, and the processes most often paired with elastic cord include enzyme washing, ultrasonic welding, laminating.
If you are comparing suppliers, send us the spec they quoted against. We will quote the same spec and show you where the difference sits.
