Synthetic hair is primarily made by heating and combining specific types of plastics, which are then processed into strands that mimic the look and feel of natural hair.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Material Selection: The most common material used is Kanekalon, prized for its close resemblance to human hair. This material is typically created from a combination of Vinyl Chloride and Acrylonitrile.
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Heating and Extrusion: The chosen plastic materials are heated until they melt into a viscous liquid.
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Strand Formation: The molten plastic is then forced through small holes or spinnerets, creating long, thin strands that resemble individual hairs. This process is called extrusion.
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Cooling and Solidification: As the strands emerge, they are cooled and solidified, retaining their shape.
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Texturing and Crimping (Optional): To further mimic human hair, the synthetic strands may be textured or crimped to add volume and create a more natural appearance. This can involve heat-setting the fibers into the desired style.
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Coloring: The synthetic hair can be dyed to a variety of colors. This is usually done during the manufacturing process.
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Processing into Hair Extensions/Wigs: Finally, the individual strands are woven or attached to create hair extensions, wigs, or other hairpieces.
In summary, synthetic hair manufacturing involves heating plastic compounds, extruding them into hair-like strands, and then texturing, coloring, and assembling them into finished products.