What Is Cordura Nylon?
Cordura is a brand of fabrics that is used for a wide variety of applications. You've likely come across the name in products such as outdoor sports gear, luggage and work clothes. Cordura fabrics are renowned for a variety of characteristics and are a symbol of toughness and quality.
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Identification
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Cordura is a trademark of INIVISTA, one of the world's largest producers of polymers and fibers. Cordura is actually a range of certified fabrics that includes ultra lightweight nylon ripstop, nylon/cotton blends and lightweight nylon pack cloths. All Cordura fabrics come in a variety of weights.
Significance
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Cordura is best known for its durability. The materials are manufactured to be highly resistant to damage arising from tearing, abrasions and scuffs. They are well-suited for demanding applications such as outdoor sports and travel, in which fabrics are constantly being put to the test.
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Quality Assurance
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Cordura fabrics are fully tested and certified so that the consumer knows the fabric is up to standards. Fabrics are tested to ensure the proper durability and quality associated with Cordura.
History
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Cordura was originally developed in 1929 by the DuPont Corporation. Chemists at the company were able to use rayon fibers to produce strong threads for use in sewing and tire cords. During World War II, Cordura was widely used in tires for military vehicles and earned a major wartime reputation. Eventually, DuPont developed a more viable nylon product that replaced rayon-based Cordura. While the rayon was eliminated, the name stuck and was transferred to the new nylon yarn in 1966. After DuPont developed a way of dyeing Cordura in 1977, the fabric began to appear in many of the common applications where it is found today, such as luggage and apparel. In 2004, INVISTA, a subsidiary of DuPont (originally DuPont Textiles and Interiors) separated from the company and took Cordura with it.
Gear
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When it comes to outdoor sports, CORDURA can be found in a variety of gear including backpacks, boots and apparel. Some well-known brands that incorporate Cordura into their products include Granite Gear, Osprey and Outdoor Research.
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