All those who are used to live actively and relax in nature are familiar with the name Cordura. This is a durable high-tech synthetic fabric. Cordura certified nylon with a half-century history has earned a lot of enthusiastic ratings for its properties. This led not only to great popularity, but also to the emergence of analogs and even fakes.
In order not to be disappointed in the quality of this fabric, you need to be able to distinguish it from falsification.
What it is?
Cordura is a heavy, strong fabric, invented by American scientists in 1935. Chemists of DuPont Textiles & Interiors managed to create a polyamide (nylon) fabric from threads with a particularly strong structure.
At first, nylon was created from water, ethyl alcohol, coal tar under the influence of temperature. Synthetics similar to silk were given the name NYlon in honor of the city of New York. On the basis of new matter, the developers invented a more durable modification of synthetic fiber - Cordura. Its description differs from ordinary nylon in its technology of structure (finely chopped and tightly twisted fibers). A quadruple thread was patented by the manufacturer. In the future, the development license was received by the concern Invista. Today this concern owns all rights to the material Cordura.
Products TM Cordura was originally intended for uniforms of the soldiers of the American army. However, its properties were also appreciated in civilian life, having found successful application in many areas of life.
Due to the peculiar structure of weaving, the Cordura yarn is four times as strong as polyamide fiber. Accordingly, the fabric of it is more durable and wear resistant. The melting point of Cordura is 210 degrees. This is a unique material, which consists of 10% cotton fibers. It gives strong material tactile softness, making it more pleasant to the touch. Cordura receives water-repellent properties after processing by special impregnation in several stages. As a result, wear-resistant fabric with a short nap does not peel off during long and active use.
In the production process of matter, fibers are tested for strength under tight control. Not even the slightest deviations in the structure of the threads, which can negatively affect the quality of the finished fabric, are allowed.
The material is made with different textures, including glitter and pile. The range of colors is also not limited to shades of camouflage.
Advantages and disadvantages
All invista cordura fabric textures combine unique properties:
- in comparison with analogues, the level of tensile strength is exceeded by 4 times;
- amazing durability, which withstands 7600 revolutions of Stoll and more than emery paper;
- non-combustible, t melting above 200 ° C;
- water resistant - testing demonstrates immunity to wetting at 5000 mm of water column;
- excellent vapor and air permeability;
- long term active use.
Objective examination and assessment of the qualitative characteristics of the matter of Cordura draws the attention of consumers to a number of features interpreted as its disadvantages:
- shows rigidity at low temperatures;
- when driving and mechanically operating in the cold, it makes noise;
- exposed to negative UV rays;
- after strong wetting dries out for a long time (rare situations).
Types and their characteristics
To impart new properties to matter, others are added to its fibers in the production process.Thus, many derivative varieties of cordura have been created. Available non-monotonous fabric with different prints or in monochrome. Classification is represented by several types.
Cordura 1000-140-T 440 - is a classic source for all derivatives. The density of this modification is 1000d.
Plus 500-140-T 440 - less dense and heavy material compared to the standard.
All other declared properties are similar to the original source.
Plus 330-122-T 440 - a view with a lower density for active use as a base for composite fabrics.
Plus Natural - created on the basis of the base material with the addition of a large amount of cotton fiber. It exceeds the strength of cotton fabric.
Tactile is more pleasant than a hard original, but inferior in many qualitative characteristics.
Plus ColorLock - demonstrates resistance to UF-radiation and high resistance to staining.
Plus / Lycra - the modification is endowed with elastic properties, capable of stretching.
Plus / Taslan - a combination with insulation designed for sewing garments for equipment in windy conditions and in cold weather.
Cordura is available in a series of "camouflage", represented by the colors "acupat" and "desert storm", and in plain colors: black, olive, green, gray, blue, blue, yellow, red and coyote.
Certified matter has no analogues, but there are fabrics that are as similar in quality and structure as possible.
Kodra - Korean material, claiming the similarity of even the name. But the coder is significantly inferior to the original in strength.
Oxford (represented by species: RipStop, 900, 840, 600, 420) - matter from the category nylon, discharge synthetic. Plain weave enhances durability. If the production process is treated with polyurethane impregnation, it demonstrates in practice excellent water repellency.
Oxford is thinner than natural cordura. The surface is distinguished by the absence of lint, smoothness and shine.
Maxsped - The most famous of the analogs of Cordura. It has an original polyurethane coating manufactured by DuPont.
Due to the high cost and sophisticated production technology, Cordura is available only in wholesale. In the application, the buyer must fill in certain items in the questionnaire, indicating his data, the desired colors, footage, type of fabric and how many items are planned to be produced from the lot. This requirement is dictated by the fact that for each unit of the product is allocated branded label Cordura. In its absence, the products can not be considered original. Knowing this, many underground workshops produce fake labels for their non-original goods. Therefore, when buying you need to exercise maximum vigilance.
The original Cordura is determined by the following features:
- glitter on the front side and matte roughness of the fabric from the inside;
- polyamide coating layer on the surface is almost imperceptible.
On a fake, you can clearly see the presence of a polyamide layer. Under adverse operating conditions, this film departs.
It is possible to distinguish the original from a fake by comparing the front side and the wrong side.
Application
Initially, matter was used exclusively for sewing military ammunition. Cordura still sew excellent body armor, wearable backpacks, protective shields. Later, Cordura became popular as a material from which to sew clothes for sports and tourism.
The scope of application of Cordura today is unlimited. The fabric is used for the manufacture of products of any type that need those or other properties that it is endowed with.
clothing
For tailoring are suitable types that are thinner and softer in structure.
Mainly:
- tourist and army ammunition;
- parts of workwear that require reinforcement - knee, elbow protection, top of working shoes;
- overalls, suits and jackets for long-term stay in conditions of variable weather, precipitation, mud and wind;
- Most often the colors have a camouflage pattern, but can be dyed in any color.
Equipment
Durable and hardy material is very suitable for the production of wear-resistant bags, belts, belt bags for tools, sports and hiking backpacks, covers, tents for various purposes.
Cordura is ideal in conditions where high strength and identical wear resistance are important. But on the hunt and for long pedestrian crossings, especially in the mountains, it is better to choose more lightweight equipment.
Cordura is noisy in movement and noticeably heavy for long wearing.
Furniture
The original American fabric has the most suitable properties for sewing such furniture or tent parts as the bottom. Parts in contact with the ground require increased strength and endurance. And they also make some parts for folding chairs and stools, which they take with them on hikes, camping and picnics.
Care
In the event of severe contamination, clothes from Cordura are wiped in places of dirt accumulation and washed in an automatic washing machine. Drying of such products takes quite a long time, while it is not allowed to dry under direct sunlight.
Ironing does not usually require matter, but if necessary, the fabric is able to withstand ironing at t up to 200 degrees. It is necessary to iron only from the front.
Since the products of certified synthetics do not actually crumple, they can be stored folded in any order.
Given the fact that the dense fabric is quite voluminous, even in a compact fold, for it you need to find a place in the wardrobe.
Cordura travel bags are in great demand and serve for more than a decade. Do not require care. Is that the periodic cleaning of dust with a clean damp cloth. With all its good quality material is very unpretentious and durable.
If you buy things from such synthetics, they will surely come in handy on the farm and more than once will delight with their strength. Especially when hiking long distances. It is better to dry the wet tent of Cordura in the straightened form. Stretched thick fabric dries faster in the open air. It is unacceptable to store damp things because of the high probability of mold.
Shoes in which there are inserts from Cordura fabric or completely sewn from durable synthetics can be washed in a typewriter. Drying is carried out as standard for shoes with a fabric top: soft paper (like newspaper, packing cuts) should be packed tightly inside. In the sun can not be dried in the same way as near heating appliances.
Cordura products are worth the money they have to pay for. They are not comparable with their counterparts in terms of resistance to wear. Such sheds are safer, tents are warmer, bags are more comfortable, backpacks are more ergonomic. It is enough these characteristics that further not to get more accessible and less nosky analogs.
See the following video for a comparison of Oxford with Cordura.
