In order to investigate how the fake fur resembled the mink is produced, the morphology of the mink fur was first examined. Then the morphology of the both domestic and imported fake furs were examined using a scanning electron microscope and an optical microscope.
Mink fur is constructed of guard hair and pile. The guard hair is coarse, comparatively long, oval in cross section and sharp pointed. The medulla has lattice-like structure. The pile is fine, short and too numerous to count. It serves as a supporter of the lower part of the guard hair. The skin is comparatively thin and constructed of an assembly of fine fibers.
The fake fur is composed of fibers having different denier, noncircular section, different shrinkage and finished in order to give the handle similar to animal fur. In addition, some fake furs are treated with a point sharpening finish.
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