Yes, hair is a polymer.
What is a Polymer?
A polymer is a large molecule composed of many smaller, repeating units called monomers. Think of it like a long chain made of many identical or similar links. These chains can be arranged in various ways, leading to different properties.
Hair's Polymer Structure
Hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin. Keratin is a polypeptide, meaning it's a polymer made up of amino acid monomers. These amino acids link together to form long chains, which then fold and interact to create the structure of a hair strand. [Reference: Silk and hair are polymers known as polypeptides.]
Several sources confirm this:
- Science.org.au: Explicitly states that silk and hair are polypeptides, which are a type of polymer. [Reference: Silk and hair are polymers known as polypeptides. Cellulose, which makes up the cell wall of plants, is another natural polymer.]
- Various Reddit discussions: Multiple Reddit threads mention using real hair in polymer clay projects, highlighting that hair is a natural material that doesn't burn at the temperatures used for curing polymer clay. [Reference: Most natural fibers/materials including real hair/fur/mohair/etc won't burn at the low temps (and times) used for curing polymer clay.] These discussions indirectly support the fact that hair is a distinct material from the polymer clay itself but doesn't contradict its polymeric nature.
- Polymer Clay Crafts: Many online tutorials detail how to incorporate polymer clay with other materials, including hair, into crafts like hair accessories. [Reference: Numerous articles showing tutorials and DIY projects using polymer clay and hair.] This further indicates that hair and polymer clay are different, yet compatible materials.
In Summary
Hair's fibrous structure arises from the arrangement of keratin polypeptide chains, firmly establishing it as a natural polymer. While used in conjunction with synthetic polymers like polymer clay, its inherent nature as a natural polymer remains undisputed.
