Bicomponent spandex

1. An elastic multiple component fiber comprising a cross-section, wherein at least a first region of said cross-section comprises a polyurethaneurea composition; and comprising a second region and a third region comprising a boundary region between said first region and said second region that includes a blend of said first region and said second region.

2. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the multiple components of the fiber are extruded through the same capillary into a single filament.

3. The fiber of claim 1 wherein the multiple components of the fiber are extruded through separate capillaries into separate filaments and coalesced into a single fused fiber.

4. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said first region and said second region have well-defined boundaries.

5. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said fiber is solution-spun.

6. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said cross-section includes a configuration selected from the group consisting of concentric sheath-core, eccentric sheath-core, side-by-side, and fused strands.

7. The fiber of claim 1 wherein said cross-section is non-round.

8. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said second region comprises a polyurethaneurea composition.

9. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said second region comprises a non-polyurethaneurea composition.

10. The fiber of claim 9 , wherein said non-polyurethaneurea is prepared from one of a thermoplastic polymer and a soluble polymer.

11. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said first region and said second region include at least one different additive or the same additive at different concentrations.

12. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said first region and said second region each include a compositionally different polyurethaneurea.

13. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said first region and said second region each include different compositions.

14. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein at least one region includes a composition that provides enhanced functionality or properties for textile fibers.

15. The fiber of claim 14 , wherein said enhanced functionality includes at least one property selected from the group consisting of dyeability, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, friction control, chlorine resistance, degradation resistance, adhesiveness, fusibility, flame retardance, antimicrobial behavior, barrier, electrical conductivity, tensile properties, color, luminescence, recyclability, fragrance, tack control, tactile properties, set-ability, thermal regulation, nutriceutical, and combinations thereof.

16. The fiber of claim 1 , wherein said at least one region includes additives selected from the group consisting of dye, pigment, polyolefin, nano-clay, chitosan, nylon, polyester, cellulose, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), phase change materials, and combinations thereof.

17. An elastic multiple component solution-spun fiber comprising a cross-section, wherein at least a first region of said cross-section comprises a polyurethane or polyurethaneurea composition; and including a second region and a third region comprising a boundary region between said first region and said second region that includes a blend of said first region and said second region.

18. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said polyurethane or polyurethaneurea comprises a segmented polyurethane.

19. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein the multiple components of the fiber are extruded through the same capillary into a single filament.

20. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein the multiple components of the fiber are extruded through separate capillaries into separate filaments and coalesced into a single fused fiber.

21. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said first region and said second region have well-defined boundaries.

22. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said cross-section includes a configuration selected from the group consisting of concentric sheath-core, eccentric sheath-core, side-by-side and fused strands.

23. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said cross-section is non-round.

24. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said second region comprises a polyurethaneurea composition.

25. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said first region and said second region include at least one different additive or the same additive at different concentrations.

26. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said first region and said second region each include a compositionally different polyurethaneurea.

27. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said first region and said second region each include different compositions.

28. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein said second region comprises a non-polyurethaneurea composition selected from a thermoplastic polymer and a soluble polymer.

29. The fiber of claim 17 , wherein at least one region includes a composition that provides enhanced functionality for textile fibers.

30. The fiber of claim 29 , wherein said enhanced functionality includes at least one property selected from the group consisting of dyeability, hydrophobicity, friction control, chlorine resistance, degradation resistance, adhesiveness, fusibility, flame retardance, antimicrobial behavior, barrier, electrical conductivity, tensile properties, color, recyclability, fragrance, tack control, tactile properties, and combinations thereof.

31. An article comprising the elastic multiple component fiber of claim 17 .

32. The article of claim 31 , wherein said article is a fabric.

33. The article of claim 31 , wherein said fabric is selected from woven, nonwoven, and knit.

34. The article of claim 31 , wherein said cross-section includes a configuration selected from the group consisting of concentric sheath-core, eccentric sheath-core, side-by-side and fused strands.

35. The article of claim 31 , wherein said cross-section provides at least a first region and a second region which comprise compositionally different polyurethaneurea compositions.

36. The article of claim 31 , wherein at least one region includes at least one additive that provide at least one property selected from the group consisting of dyeable, hydrophobic, friction reduction, chlorine resistance, adhesive, fusible, flame retardant, antimicrobial, barrier, conductive, and combinations thereof.

37. The article of claim 31 , wherein said article is a textile.

38. The article of claim 31 , wherein said article is a garment.

39. The article of claim 31 , wherein said article is hosiery.