Dr.N.N. MAHAPATRA
C.Col FSDC ( UK),CText FTI ( Manchester ), FRSC ( UK ),FAIC(USA)
Business Head(Dyes)
SHREE PUSHKAR CHEMICALS & FERTILISERS LTD.
(301-302, Atlanta Center, Near Udyog Bhawan,
Sonawala Road, Goregaon (East )
Mumbai 400063. India
Cordura was one of DuPont’s most popular fiber products. Its origin dates to 1929 when chemists at the DuPont Rayon Company succeeded in strengthening relatively weak rayon filaments into fibers suitable for use as sewing threads and tire cords. Subsequent tests on commercial vehicles proved that the new rayon lengthened tires’ life span, so in November 1934 DuPont started production of Cordura durable cord rayon tire yarn. Research during World War II improved Cordura and enabled its manufacture on standard rayon production equipment, thereby boosting both quality and output. The tendency of Cordura to strengthen when heated led to its extensive use in military tires made from synthetic rubber, which ran hotter than natural rubber.
Consequently, Cordura became widely known as an essential product for America’s war effort. In 1950 DuPont introduced Super Cordura tire yarn, but Super Cordura faced a formidable rival in another DuPont product, nylon. After performance tests in the 1950s showed nylon’s superiority, DuPont phased out Super Cordura and replaced it with a new industrial nylon yarn called N-56. The last Super Cordura rayon plant closed in 1963 as DuPont officially exited the rayon business.
In 1966 DuPont transferred the Cordura brand name to the N-56 nylon product line. In 1977 DuPont researchers discovered a process for dyeing Cordura, which opened a wide variety of commercial applications. By 1979 soft-sided Cordura luggage had captured about 40 percent of the luggage market. In the 1980s DuPont expanded its Cordura line into sporting apparel and equipment, including boots and shoes, golf and ski bags, and backpacks. A softer version called Cordura Plus entered the market in 1988. Subsequent improvements made Cordura even lighter in weight and gave the fabric greater protection against fading from sunlight and washing. In 1996, Cordura Plus Natural™, with the look and feel of natural cotton canvas, became immediately popular with sporting goods and marine apparel manufacturers. The Cordura trademark and Cordura products were divested as part of the INVISTA™ separation in April, 2004.
Yarn spinners continued to develop new more colorful and functional yarns. In the 1990s, three variations on DuPont’s Cordura nylon went on the market. Originally introduced as a tire cord fiber, Cordura was introduced as a fabric for outdoor recreational apparel. In addition to its lightweight qualities, the Cordura/acrylic blend offered twice the abrasion resistance of ballistic nylon, three times that of vinyl or standard nylon, and four times that of cotton. Previous applications included luggage, backpacks, boots, and rugged ski apparel. Cordura is a nylon yarn made out of 100% polyamide fibres. The raw fibres are cut, respun and finally woven to a fabric Is available in many different fibre strengths and has a much higher abrasion resistance than regular nylon .High performance polyamide fibres form the basis of lightweight design that has an extremely high resistance against wear and tear . Cordura AFT uses a knitted mesh structure that is especially comfortable when riding in hot climates
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Invista is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester applications, a business presence in over 20 countries, Invista’s global businesses deliver exceptional value for their customers through technology innovations, market insights and a powerful portfolio of global trademarks. The Cordura brand is a registered trademark of Invista , of Koch Industries, Inc., since the brand name’s April 2004 sale, one of the world’s largest integrated polymer, intermediates and fibers businesses.
Properties –
Cordura is a Du Pont brand of air textured nylon yarn. Cordura® 500/700 -It is Nylon yarn which consists of 100% polyamide.The manufacturing process involves respinning and weaving the cut polyamide fibres. The melting point is 210 °C. Cordura® 700 is even more tear-resistant. Cordura is resistant to scuffs and tears, with a high strength-to-weight ratio. Invista claims that it is 10 times more durable than cotton duck canvas. Invista offers no comparison to leather.Cordura fabric is more durable than other fabrics. No matter the application, Cordura fabric offers a superior strength-to-weight ratio, making it a first-choice for durable fabrics. · Cordura is considered a high performance fabric. When compared to other fabrics where durability is key, it is an obvious choice. Cordura is ten times more durable than cotton duck fabric and three times more durable than standard polyester.
Care of Cordura Fabric
- Most apparel products can be machine washed and dried on a low setting. Luggage, backpacks and upholstery can be spot cleaned with a spray cleaner or detergent.
For example, classic Cordura fabrics made from Invista high tenacity, air-jet textured nylon are:
- 10 times more durable than cotton duck
- 3 times durable than standard polyester
- 2 times durable than standard nylon
In other fabric constructions, Cordura fabric offers best-in-class durability over comparable unbranded fabrics. Cordura® AFT is 2-7 times more durable than Nylon, Polyester and Cotton. Nylon Cordura: PU Coated
This fabric is coated with Urethane coating and DWR. This Fabric, in all weights, is very abrasion resistant and has a high tear strength with a rough brushed-cotton like appearance.
Cordura fabric is resistant to abrasions, tears, and scuffs – all the qualities expected from a high performance fabric. So regardless of the activity, wearers will benefit from the durability of Cordura fabric. Cordura is popular among motorcyclists because it breathes better than leather; is relatively lightweight versus leather and its abrasion and tear resistance offers good protection against road rash in accidents. Cordura fabric is not as heat resistant or safe as Kevlar. However, Cordura fabric is specially made to be long lasting and to endure. Products such as heavy-duty luggage, overalls and even parachutes and tie-down straps that will need to hold up under a great deal of pressure are all products that might be better served made out of Cordura fabric.
USES –
Cordura fabric has been manufactured for over 30 years. While the fabrics vary in texture, weight and composition, all are known for their extreme durability. Items made with Cordura, such as luggage or backpacks, will often have a hang tag or label identifying the fabric as part of the product
For gear, performance apparel and work wear, Cordura can be used in a wider range of products from heavy-duty performance gear and apparel to everyday wear. Cordura is even tougher to beat. From luggage and backpacks to boots and performance apparel, it is easier than ever to choose the look, texture and weight you need for all kinds of styles.
When put to the test, Cordura resists tears and abrasions like no other fabric of its kind. It’s resistant to abrasions, tears, and scuffs–all the qualities you expect from a high performance fabric. So regardless of people’s activities, people will benefit from the toughness of Cordura. The fiber options with Cordura are as plentiful as they are practical. Some popular blends are list as below:
Cordura Plus/Acrylic – Apparel with this blend is comfortable, warm and quiet–qualities that make it perfect for hunting, workwear and rugged apparel.
Cordura Plus/Lycra – To date, this has been the most popular blend, providing a winning combination of durability and flexibility. Available in one-way and two-way stretch fabrics, this blend can be used in warp only, fill only or a combination of both.
Known for its resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs, Cordura fabric is a primary ingredient in many of the world’s leading high-performance gear and apparel products ranging from luggage, upholstery and backpacks to footwear, military equipment, tactical wear, workwear and performance apparel.These fabrics are available in a wide range of fabric constructions, weights and textures, including:
- Ultra Light Weight Nylon Ripstop Fabrics (30, 70, 100 denier)
- Nylon/Cotton Blends for Workwear and Denim
- Textured Nylon Bottom Weights (160, 330 denier)
- Light Weight Nylon Packcloths (210, 420 denier)
- Textured Nylon or Polyester Packcloths (300, 500, 1000 denier)
- Heavy Weight Nylon Ballistic Fabrics (630, 840, and 1050 denier)
- Cordura is Dupont’s, “air treated” nylon fabric and Kodra is a similar fabric made by Kolon Intl of Korea. They have a rough fuzzy texture and have great abrasion resistance. Neither is as puncture resistant as Oxford Weave Nylon and does not waterproof as well as Nylon. Polyurethane coated Cordura and Kodra are considered waterproof.
- 1000 denier’s long lasting qualities make it popular for pack, luggage, sea bags, duffel bags, and sophisticated rock climbing packs. These fabrics are often used in heavy duty packs and luggage and often used on the bottom of packs. Pound for pound, it is not as strong as nylon rip-stop, but is generally made in a heavier weight and is more durable by the square foot/meter.
Fields of application are:
Light Weight Bullet Proof Vest, Jackets, Hard Armour Panel Inserts, Bomb Blankets, Shields, Helmets and Combat Shoes. Cordura fabric is a line of fabrics manufactured to be extremely durable and resistant to tearing, scuffing or abrading. Common uses include luggage, military apparel and upholstery. Cordura is not one fabric, but rather a brand that manufactures a wide variety of fabrics from lightweight rip-stop nylon to heavy duty ballistic fabrics.
Armouring of Civil and Military Vehicles.
Cordura fabrics are used in clothing, footwear, equipment for all branches of the military, as well as law enforcement. Cordura’s durability is also useful for other high use applications, such as car or airplane upholster Seat, Floor and Wall Armouring.
Bridge, Storage Compartments and Command Center Armouring.
Armouring of Industrial and High-Risk Sites.
Cordura launches durable denim fabric .Fibre maker Invista has launched a new denim fabric line that combines the long-lasting durability of its Cordura brand with the authentic look and feel of traditional denim.The Cordura Denim fabrics are based on an 88/12 blend of Invista’s T420 nylon 6,6 fibre and cotton. The company claims that jeans made from the new fabric last 50% to 60% longer when industrially laundered than those made from 100% cotton denim. The material is also said to be three times more resistant to abrasion.
Fibre maker Invista has introduced a lighter weight version of its Cordura branded workwear fabric. Based on 770-decitex high tenacity nylon 6.6 textured yarns, the fabric provides a lightweight and durable option for reinforcing garments exposed to extremely heavy wear and tear.The fabrics were originally engineered for military requirements and give greater wearer mobility than heavier weight versions, the company says.
This fibre is going to play a major role in the coming years as Technical Textiles is coming up all over the globe. It has to be taken up seriously by countries like China and India. Till date no significance work done in these two countries.
