The Benefits of Solution-Dyed Compared to Piece-Dyed

Manufacturing Performance

The high level of consistency in the product reduces costly downtime and quality rejections at the cut-and-sew facility.

Fabric variation and lot-to-lot color, shade, and NIR inconsistencies can lead to costly downtime and quality rejections at the cut-and-sew facility.

Characteristics 

Process

Solution-Dyed, Textured Nylon 

Fabric is woven from color-permeated solution-dyed nylon yarns which are spun to include inherent shade and NIR properties.

Piece-Dyed, Multi-Filament

Fabric is woven from naturally colored nylon and then dyed to provide shade and NIR properties.
Product Performance
1. Shade appearance Consistent color across the width of the fabric. Dye streaks that show across the width of the fabric, thus inconsistent color.
2. Fabric to fabric consistency Uniform shade appearance regardless of mil-spec or weave pattern. Shade variation between various mil-specs and weave patterns.
3. Level of Shine Dull, matte finish of CORDURA® solid-color yarn reduces the unwanted shine that can attract the attention of snipers. Inherent nature of the fiber and the dyeing process creates high levels of shine, which are potentially dangerous in a battlefield setting.
4. Durability Manufactured from air-textured CORDURA® yarn, the industry standard for durability and abrasion-resistance. Non-textured yarn provides less durability and less resistance to abrasion.
5. NIR consistency Because the NIR properties are inherently built into the yarn, infrared requirements are met every time with little or no variability. The NIR properties, which are a function of the dye process, are subject to variability as the shade changes from dye lot to dye lot.
6. UV fade Highly resistant to UV fade and shade changes when in the field. Shade changes and fades when subject to high levels of UV exposure.
7. Colorfastness The best colorfastness in the industry, routinely achieving the highest test rating of “5″. The dye process, particularly for darker colors, often yields lower colorfastness testing results.
8. Compatibility with Fabric Because many of the fabrics used to make military gear are woven from the same solution dyed-yarns used in the solution-dyed fabric, the fabric provides an exact shade match and creates an end item unparalleled for shade consistency. Piece-dyed fabric and fabrics, coming from different dyehouses, will often not match, and create an end item that is often not consistent with the solution-dyed fabric used on the military items.