Semisintética

Semisintética refers to a substance or material that is produced through a process involving both natural and synthetic components. This typically means that a natural raw material is modified or enhanced using synthetic chemical processes to create a product with properties that are superior to the original natural substance or that cannot be achieved through purely natural means.

In various fields, the term semisintética indicates a hybrid origin. For example, in lubricants, semisynthetic oils are a blend of mineral oil (derived from petroleum) and synthetic base oils. These oils offer improved performance characteristics compared to conventional mineral oils, such as better thermal stability and oxidation resistance, while often being more affordable than fully synthetic lubricants.

Similarly, in the realm of materials science, semisintética can describe polymers or composites where natural fibers or fillers are combined with synthetic resins. This combination aims to leverage the strengths of both components, for instance, using natural fibers for their sustainability and low cost, and synthetic resins for their durability and processability. The resulting materials can exhibit unique mechanical, thermal, or electrical properties suitable for specific applications.

The development of semisintética products often seeks to balance performance, cost, and environmental considerations. By utilizing natural resources as a starting point and applying synthetic chemistry, it is possible to create materials and substances that offer a desirable middle ground between entirely natural and fully synthetic options.