| From medieval period, we humans have been using | | | | polymer is derived. Modacrylic polymers are |
| animal fur for the purpose of clothing. Thus killing | | | | copolymers. They are made by the reaction between |
| animals for getting their fur. This practice is facing | | | | acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride monomers. The |
| opposition from animal lovers and environmentalists as | | | | increasingly use of modacrylic for fake fur |
| it poses threat of disappearance of many species of | | | | manufacturing is due to its property of being easily |
| animals. Therefore in order to overcome this problem | | | | colored by real looking animal fur dyes and are fire |
| "Fake Animal Fur" was invented. | | | | resistant. |
| In appearance and feel it exactly matches with real fur. | | | | These chemically manufactured polymers have many |
| It is made up of processed and dyed polymeric fibers. | | | | advantages over the natural fur. They provide the |
| After the process of processing and dyeing, the fabric | | | | fluffy look to the garment, lighter in weight and bouncy. |
| is then cut down so that it matches to a particular fur's | | | | Also are resistant to various environment abusive |
| texture and color. This fabric is also known as pile | | | | situations like heat, smoke and sunlight. Their |
| fabric. If we try to compare the original fur with fake | | | | maintenance is also very easy as they can be easily |
| animal fur, it is difficult to distinguish them from one | | | | washed or dry cleaned without any fuss. Moreover |
| another. This is because of the use of advanced | | | | they are not attacked by insects also. They have the |
| technology for manufacturing such fake furs. | | | | property of low moisture absorbency and hence dry |
| History of the fake fur | | | | out quickly. |
| If we study the history of clothing, we find that fur was | | | | Other natural fabrics like silk, mohair and wool are used |
| the one of the oldest form of clothing worn by men | | | | to improvise the feel and look of the fake fur garment. |
| and women. Human beings always had fascination for | | | | In combination with polypropylene, cotton or wool are |
| the animal fur but it was always an expensive item | | | | used to make the base for the fibers. To add shine |
| that too in short supply. When fake fur has first | | | | and smoothness to fake furs various types of resins |
| introduced, it was made from the hair of a mammal | | | | and silicones are used. Then dyes and colors are |
| named alpaca. Although the fur was of low quality in | | | | added. Designers in order to give the natural look to |
| comparison of furs like mink and beaver, as it provided | | | | the fake fur use colors similar to that of natural fur. |
| warmth and was inexpensive manufacturers continue | | | | Quality Maintenance |
| to manufacture it and improve its quality and color. The | | | | In order to achieve that natural look of the fur it is |
| true modern fake fur was introduced in late 1950's. | | | | important on the part of the manufacturer to maintain |
| This became possible as acrylic polymers were | | | | the quality of the fake fur. For this each and every |
| replaced with usage of alpaca hair. | | | | phase of production has to be inspected carefully. |
| The special features of acrylic polymer included: light | | | | Therefore right from the inspection of the raw |
| weight than other fake fur fabrics and also provided | | | | materials uptil the final finished fibers produced by |
| the volume needed to imitate the real fur. It was much | | | | polymerization reactions has to be taken care of in |
| easier to texture and dye this polymer. Continuous | | | | order to produce fake fur of high quality. Certain |
| research and innovations were carried out to give the | | | | physical and chemical tests are done on the fibers to |
| fake fur more realistic look and feel and also make | | | | ensure that they meet the standards required. Some |
| them fire resistant. This was achieved when acrylic | | | | of such tests check pH, density, appearance and |
| polymers were mixed with other polymers. This new | | | | melting point. Also the absorbency, elasticity and |
| breed of fabrics developed was named as | | | | resilience also tested. |
| modacrylics. This newly developed fabric is now being | | | | During the manufacturing process, the line inspectors |
| used primarily for manufacturing the fake fur. | | | | check the fiber at various stages to ensure the size, |
| Fake animal furs are manufactured in such a manner | | | | fiber strength, appearance and sewing quality is proper. |
| that they have the look and warmth of that of real | | | | In addition to the manufacturer's own standards, the |
| animal fur. However it is impossible to exactly match | | | | industry and government has also set quality |
| the real animal fur, these fake furs have added | | | | parameters. The government has also set some |
| advantages over natural fur as artificial furs can be | | | | standards which are known as L-22 to test fabric |
| colored with any color shades, they are more durable | | | | properties like pilling, contraction and the wear. |
| and less prone to environmental abuse. Even some of | | | | It's Future |
| them are hand washable. Before the invention of fake | | | | Constant experiments are been made to produce |
| fur, the rich and famous were only be able to wear | | | | fake furs that are more durable and in most |
| the fur. But now as artificial furs are less expensive | | | | resemblance to the natural animal fur. Therefore focus |
| and easily available more and more people are buying | | | | is on developing new fibers with better finishing and |
| it. Therefore safeguarding the interests of the animal | | | | lower cost of production. The starting of the twentieth |
| activists and environmentalists and also saving the | | | | century marked the revolution in the fake fur |
| butchering of innocent animals for their fur. | | | | manufacturing industry. More specialized and efficient |
| Materials used | | | | method of production is being developed. |
| Fake furs are made with a variety of materials. Fake | | | | Special animal simulation techniques have recently |
| furs are manufactured using acrylic polymers, | | | | been developed. One of such technique includes |
| modacrylics or combination of these polymers in | | | | simulation of the long and short hair sections of mink or |
| proper ratio. Acrylic polymers are made up of chemical | | | | river otter fur by amalgamation of shrinkable and |
| compositions .The chemicals used in manufacturing | | | | non-shrinkable fibers. In order to get the feel of beaver |
| acrylic polymers are derived from coal, air, water, | | | | fur, certain fine and coarse fibers are mixed. As these |
| limestone and petroleum. When acrylonitrile monomer | | | | fake furs are made up of synthetic fibers and has |
| undergoes chemical reactions under controlled | | | | similar texture, color, look and better insulation than the |
| condition of elevated heat and pressure- acrylic | | | | real fur. Artificial furs are PETA approved. |