Taklon
Taklon is the common name for a synthetic fiber used in artist-quality paint, makeup, shaving and pin stripe brushes. It is a smooth, soft, and somewhat fragile polyester derivative devoid of any protein component or allergen elements and is therefore used in the cosmetic industries as a "green," "vegan," "allergy free" or synthetic alternative to animal hair brushes.{{Cite web |last=SarahAWebster |date=2014-11-21 |title=Synthetic Makeup Brushes Today – Not All Created Equal |url=https://mybrushbetty.com/modernsyntheticmakeupbrushes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206053950/http://mybrushbetty.com/modernsyntheticmakeupbrushes/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=My Brush Betty |language=en-US}}
History
DuPont invented the process for making Taklon, in which a polyester fiber known as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate){{Cite web |title=Makeup Brush Manufacturer - The Synthetic fibers used on makeup brushes |url=https://www.tmakeupbrushes.com/news/106.html |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=www.tmakeupbrushes.com}} is extruded and tapered to a fine point. Toray Chemical Co. of Osaka, Japan, acquired the process{{Cite web |title=Makeup Brush Manufacturer - synthetic fiber production |url=https://www.tmakeupbrushes.com/news/105.html |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=www.tmakeupbrushes.com}} and the rights to make Taklon, which was originally designed to mimic the handling characteristics of natural sable.{{Cite web |last=history |first=Evie Hatch Evie's interests lie in the |last2=Colours |first2=Characteristics of Artist |last3=techniques |first3=materials This research plays a large part in her art practice; she loves investigating traditional |last4=Watercolour |first4=Makes Her Own |last5=Institute |first5=oil paints Evie graduated in 2016 from Camberwell College of Art with a degree in Drawing She is currently studying Art History at the Courtauld |last6=London. |date=2020-04-08 |title=The Development of Synthetic Brushes |url=https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2020/04/08/the-development-of-synthetic-brushes/ |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=Jackson's Art Blog |language=en-GB}}
Use in makeup brushes
Taklon brushes are more hygienic than real hair brushes, since natural hair has an irregular surface which traps powders, dead skin cells, bacteria and chemicals. Cleaning may not necessarily remove these particles. Because of this, regular cleaning with disinfectants is required to prevent skin irritation. Taklon lacks these surface irregularities, making it easier to clean properly, which decreases potential irritation. Because Taklon is synthetic, animal cruelty is not an issue.{{Cite web |last=SarahAWebster |date=2014-11-21 |title=Synthetic Makeup Brushes Today – Not All Created Equal |url=https://mybrushbetty.com/modernsyntheticmakeupbrushes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206053950/http://mybrushbetty.com/modernsyntheticmakeupbrushes/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=My Brush Betty |language=en-US}}
Use in artist-quality brushes
Taklon is made in several sizes, ranging from 0.08 mm to .15 mm, which mimic hair, to .20 mm, which mimics boar bristle. The diameter affects the stiffness or softness of the brush. Diameter variation in the Taklon fibers creates more space between the filaments, allowing the brush to carry more liquid. {{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} It is available in black, gold, and white colors to indicate a brush’s stiffness, with black having the softest and most flexible fibers, gold being midrange in softness, and white being the stiffest. {{Cite web |title=Not sure which brush to use? Black vs. Gold vs. White Taklon {{!}} Playfield restoration {{!}} Pinside.com |url=https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/not-sure-which-brush-to-use-black-vs-gold-vs-white-taklon |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=pinside.com}}
References
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