Final answer:
The material in question is likely fiberglass, a type of polymer-matrix composite that becomes transparent when a wrap resin is applied, creating a durable and versatile material used in many industrial applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thin natural material you're describing is likely a sort of fiberglass, which is part of a group called polymer-matrix composites. This material is composed of very thin layers of glass fibers that are woven tightly together. When a wrap resin is applied, such as epoxy or polyester, it permeates the fibers and, upon curing, forms a transparent, durable material. This is similar to the process of applying binders in paints, which also become transparent, provide gloss and durability when paired with thinners and certain pigments.
Fiberglass is used in various applications like textiles, automotive parts, and sometimes in stiff, clear plastics. Moreover, when you compare it to natural materials such as cork cells viewed by Robert Hooke or the treated animal skin known as parchment, the transparency of fiberglass when combined with resin is unique due to the interaction of the organic polymer matrix and the inorganic glass fiber reinforcement.