Cordura

This article is about fabrics. For the film, see They Came to Cordura.
Blue Cordura fabric
Product hangtag

Cordura is a brand of synthetic fiber-based fabrics used in products such as: luggage, backpacks, trousers, military wear, and performance apparel.[1]

Cordura was developed and trademarked by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) in 1929, Cordura is currently owned by Invista, a subsidiary of Koch Industries.[2]

Overview

DuPont initially introduced Cordura as a type of rayon.[3][4] In a 1948 advertisement, DuPont highlighted the research that led to its creation: "DuPont scientists were working to improve the properties of rayon… Out of the cooperation among scientists—ranging from studies of cellulose as a high polymer to the design of enormous plants—came a new product, 'Cordura' high-tenacity rayon, as strong as mild steel yet able to stand up under repeated flexing."[5] Cordura was further developed during World War II and used in tires for military vehicles.

By 1966, with the arrival of nylon formulations, the Cordura brand name was transferred to nylon products. In 1977, a process for dyeing nylon was discovered, leading to a broader range of commercial applications. Eastpak was the first brand to use Cordura fabric in their luggage.[6] By 1979, "soft-sided" Cordura luggage made up about 40 percent of the luggage market.

JanSport used the canvas-like nylon in their original daypacks in the 1970s, and now exclusively uses polyester Cordura.[7] In the 1980s, Manhattan Portage began using 1000 denier (D) Cordura nylon in their bags.[8] During the 1990s, European workwear clothing brands adopted the 1000D and 500D fabric for reinforcements. Brands like F. Engel, Fristads Kansas, Snickers and Scruffs use Cordura in their clothing. Today, Cordura is used in textile motorcycle jackets and pants for abrasion resistance, with companies such as: Klim, Rukka, MotoPort, Rev'It!, Olympia, Aerostich, and Dainese incorporating it into their gear.[9]

Variants of Cordura fabrics vary in weight, appearance, tear resistance, and color retention. There are also base layer, denim, and canvas fabrics that blend Invista 420 D nylon 6, 6 fiber, and cotton, known as "Cordura Baselayer," "Cordura Denim," and "Cordura Duck," respectively.[10]

Some Cordura fabrics have been specifically designed for military applications and extended outdoor use.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ "CORDURA® Brand - Home". www.cordura.com.
  2. ^ "Koch Subsidiaries Buy Fibers Unit from DuPont". Invista.com. 2004-04-30. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  3. ^ "Cordura". dupont.com. 2009-02-02. Archived from the original on 2011-07-31. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  4. ^ "A Short History of Manufactured Fibers". Fibersource.com. 1969-07-20. Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  5. ^ ”Du Pont Digest” (advertisement), Notre Dame Scholastic, Vol 89 No. 21, 9 April 1948, 7.
  6. ^ RETROFUZZ. "Collection 2011 | Quinze & Milan x Eastpak | Built to Resi(s)t". Eastpak.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  7. ^ "EcoTextiles Just Got Tougher: Cordura EcoMade". TreeHugger. Archived from the original on 2010-03-28. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  8. ^ "Manhattan Portage Bags - Company Information". Manhattanportage.com. 2011-08-17. Archived from the original on 2017-06-09. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  9. ^ "Save Your Hide Article". Motoport.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  10. ^ "Invista Unveils Cordura Denim Fabric". Textile World. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  11. ^ Rayfield, Susannah. "The First Line of Defence: The Infantry Soldier" (PDF). Cordura Fabric. Sovereign Publications. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-07-03. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  12. ^ "Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoody". Outdoorinformer.com. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2011-10-18.