Introduction: What is fake fur?
Fake fur or faux fur is a type of textile that is made to resemble the look and feel of animal fur. Faux fur can be made from synthetic materials, such as polyester, or from natural materials, such as cotton or wool.
What is the Difference Between Artificial and Real Fur?
The difference between artificial and real fur is that the former is made of synthetic materials while the latter is made of animal hair or skin.
The two types of fur are different in terms of how they are manufactured. Fur made from synthetic materials can be created in a variety of colours and styles, while real fur cannot be dyed or styled. Artificial fur is also cheaper than its natural counterpart.
While quite desirable, real fur had the disadvantage of being expensive and in short supply. For this reason, fake furs were introduced on the market in 1929. From a fashion standpoint, they were of low quality, typically colored gray or tan, and could not compare to exquisite furs like mink or beaver. But the fabric was inexpensive and warm, so manufacturers continued to develop improved versions of the fake fur, trying to give it a denser look, better abrasion resistance, and more interesting colours.
In the 1940s, the quality of fake furs was vastly improved by advances in textile manufacture technology. However, the true modern fake furs were not developed until the mid 1950s, with the introduction of acrylic polymers. These polymers were particularly important because they could provide the bulk required to imitate real fur without the weight associated with other fake fur fabrics. They were also easier to colour and texture than previous fake fur fabrics. Later in the decade, polymer producers found that acrylic polymers could be made even more fur-like and fire resistant by mixing them with other polymers. These new fabrics, called modacrylics, are now the primary polymer used in fake fur manufacture.
Faux Fur Manufacturing Processes & Techniques
Faux fur is a type of fabric that is made to look like animal fur. Faux fur has been around for centuries, but the process of making it has changed over the years.
Nowadays the production of a fake fur can be mostly an automated process. First the fibres are synthesized. For example, for modacrylic polymers the acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride monomers are mixed together. They are subjected to increased pressure and temperature. Mixing blades are constantly in motion and the polymerization process begins. A white powdery resin is produced, which is then converted into a thick liquid by dissolving it in acetone. The liquid polymer mixture is then pumped through a filter to remove undissolved particles. From the filter, the material is pumped through spinnerets, in a water bath. When the polymer is extruded through, it emerges as a group of continuous fibres called a tow. The tow is then pulled along a conveyor belt and stretched. As well as being stretched the tow is also washed and dried. As it dries, the acetone is driven off, leaving only the polymer behind. The continuous fibres are then annealed, so making them stronger. Next the fibres are dyed to the required colour and the backing fabric is added to make the material easy to use.
How is Faux Fur Used in Fashion Industry
Faux fur didn’t become popular until the 1970s. This was because more people started to care about animal welfare and wanted to avoid wearing real fur. That desire to have the benefits of fur without the animal welfare cost has driven innovation. The fashion industry has encouraged fabric manufacturers to push the boundares to create some wonderful new fabrics.
The most common types of faux furs are:
– Polyester Faux Fur
– Acrylic Faux Fur
– Silk Faux Fur
– Wool Faux Fur
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