Coolmax is a specialized polyester fabric that The Lycra Company engineered to enhance moisture management in athletic and performance clothing.
Material Properties
Moisture Management Delivers Comfort
The fabric’s innovative design features non-round fiber cross-sections that increase surface area by 20% compared to standard round fibers[2]. This unique structure creates enhanced capillary action, pulling moisture away from the skin. The material’s hydrophobic nature means it won’t absorb much fluid, allowing it to dry faster than natural fibers like cotton.
Manufacturing and Development
DuPont Legacy Shapes Innovation
Originally developed by DuPont Textiles, now part of The Lycra Company, Coolmax represents a breakthrough in synthetic fabric technology[2]. The company employs strategic co-branding partnerships with clothing manufacturers to promote the material’s benefits to consumers.
Safety Considerations
Heat Exposure Creates Risk
The material has critical safety limitations. With a melting point of approximately 255°C, Coolmax shares a dangerous characteristic with other polyester fabrics – it can melt and fuse to skin during exposure to intense heat[2]. This safety concern has led to restrictions on its use in high-risk environments like firefighting and military combat operations.
Market Applications
Performance Needs Drive Usage
While unsuitable for high-heat situations, Coolmax’s moisture-wicking properties make it ideal for athletic wear and everyday performance clothing. The fabric’s quick-drying capability offers practical benefits for activities where sweat management matters[2].
Citations:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coolmax
Coolmax is the brand name for a series of polyester fabrics developed and marketed by The Lycra Company (formerly Dupont Textiles and Interiors then Invista).
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). 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.
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.
