Coolmax is the
brand name
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's good or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create a ...
for a series of
polyester fabrics developed and marketed by
The Lycra Company (formerly Dupont Textiles and Interiors then
Invista
Invista (stylized as INVISTA), headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, United States, is a fiber, resin and intermediates company. It has about 10,000 employees in over 20 countries worldwide. The predecessor DuPont Textiles and Interiors was formed fro ...
).
Coolmax is marketed as "moisture-wicking" and "breathable". As a polyester, it is moderately hydrophobic, so it absorbs little fluid and dries relatively quickly (compared to absorbent fibers such as
cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor p ...
). The cross-section is non-round, increasing surface area by an estimated 20% (over round fibers) in order to produce a wicking effect via
capillary action
Capillary action (sometimes called capillarity, capillary motion, capillary rise, capillary effect, or wicking) is the process of a liquid flowing in a narrow space without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, any external forces li ...
.
The Lycra Company makes extensive use of
co-branding in their marketing of Coolmax and other clothing materials, partnering with their customers to increase awareness of their product among end consumers.
Like other polyester fabrics, Coolmax is flammable and has a relatively low melting point (~255 °C), giving clothes made from it a tendency to melt and fuse to the wearer's skin when exposed to high heat. This has led to Coolmax and other polyesters (along with acrylic and rayon) being restricted or banned in certain high-fire-risk applications, such as firefighting and front-line combat.
References
External links
DuPont Company Textile Fabrics Department videotapes, photographs, slides and promotions(1918-2004) at
Hagley Museum and Library
The Hagley Museum and Library is a nonprofit educational institution in unincorporated New Castle County, Delaware, near Wilmington. Covering more than along the banks of the Brandywine Creek, the museum and grounds include the first du Po ...
.
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Knitted fabrics
Technical fabrics
Koch Industries