synthetic materials
Man-made fabricated compounds
Synthetic materials are substances made through chemical processes rather than occurring naturally or being derived directly from plants or animals.
Nylon, polyester, and plastic are synthetic; cotton, wool, and wood are not.
The term usually implies petroleum-based manufacturing: The jacket is made from synthetic materials.
Synthetic often carries connotations of artificiality or inferiority to natural alternatives, though synthetics frequently outperform natural materials in durability or cost.
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- plastic wrapThin clingy food covering
- acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
- fiberglassReinforced woven strand composite
- polyurethaneVersatile synthetic resin compound
aerogels · nanotubes · polyethylene · Kevlar · metamaterials · lyocell · faux leather · nylon · stretch fabric · polypropylene · epoxy resin · microfiber · fast fashion · Bakelite · spandex · rayon · thermoplastics · carbon fiber
- Chemical Industrychemical engineering, chemical manufacturing, chemical plants, industrial chemistry, petrochemicals
- Industrial Revolutionsteam engine, railroad, factory, coal, iron
- polymerspolymer, elastomers, monomer, polyurethane foam, silicone rubber
synthetic materialsnatural materials
Substances from nature unprocessed
natural fibers · organic materials · natural substances · raw materials
synthetic materialsorganic fibers
Threads from biological sources
natural rubber · cotton · wool · silk · linen