Will the elasticity of nylon elastic yarn decrease after long-term storage?

Nylon elastic yarn is a synthetic fiber material widely used in the textile field. It is favored by many industries such as clothing manufacturing, sports equipment, and medical supplies for its soft, durable and good elastic properties. Under ideal conditions, the molecular structure of nylon elastic yarn can remain stable and maintain its original elasticity and strength. The arrangement structure of its molecular chains has a certain flexibility and can quickly return to its original state after being subjected to external forces, which is the source of its elasticity. However, when the material is stored in different environmental conditions for a long time, environmental factors may gradually affect its performance, especially the elastic part.
Temperature changes have a significant impact on its performance stability. In an environment with too high or too low temperature, the molecular chains inside the fiber will produce different degrees of thermal stress response. If the temperature is too high, the connection between molecules may gradually weaken, thereby affecting the recovery ability; if it is in an overly cold environment for a long time, the softness of the fiber may decrease and the elastic performance will lag. Although this temperature-induced physical change does not immediately manifest as a significant performance degradation, it may cause the fiber to have a lower resilience than the initial state after a long period of accumulation.
Humidity is also a factor that cannot be ignored. Nylon fibers have a certain degree of hygroscopicity. Long-term exposure to a humid environment may cause the intermolecular hydrogen bond structure to loosen, affecting its structural compactness. If coupled with repeated dry-wet cycles, it may cause fiber fatigue and aging. Even if the surface looks intact, its internal structure may slowly change, resulting in a gradual decrease in stretching and recovery capabilities.
In addition to temperature and humidity conditions, light and oxidation are also influencing factors. When nylon elastic yarn is exposed to sunlight for a long time, especially when exposed to ultraviolet rays, its molecular structure may break or reorganize, causing the fiber to become brittle or weakened in elasticity. Long-term exposure to oxygen may also accelerate its aging process, especially in a storage environment with high temperature and humidity.
Storage methods are also critical. If the yarn is overstretched, squeezed or curled during storage, it may cause uneven internal tension in the yarn, thereby affecting its recovery performance. Especially when stacked or pressed in an unprotected state, it is easy to cause permanent deformation of local fibers, affecting the overall elastic performance.