Hand Moldable Plastic: Find Material for Room Temp Shaping

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around finding a hand moldable plastic material that can be shaped at room temperature without separating. Participants explore various options and characteristics of these materials, including thermoplastics and thermosets.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Leila inquires about a material that can be molded by hand at room temperature and does not separate.
  • Mishima suggests a thermoplastic called U Mold, which can be molded after being heated in water and can be remolded multiple times.
  • Mishima also mentions thermosets like Sculpey, which can be molded at room temperature but cannot be remolded after baking.
  • There is a discussion about the quality retention of U Mold after multiple uses, with some participants indicating that it can maintain quality if kept free from contaminants.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the number of times U Mold can be remolded, noting personal experience with around ten uses.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the existence of thermoplastics and thermosets as options, but there is uncertainty regarding the specifics of remolding capabilities and the definition of "does not separate."

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the definitions of terms used, such as "does not separate," and the specific conditions under which materials can be remolded may vary based on individual handling and contamination factors.

leilafg
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Hi,
I am looking for a material that molds/gets shape with hand at room temperature and does not separate! Does such a material exist?
(By the way I am do not have physics background!)

Many thanks for you help :)
Leila
 
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Not sure what is meant by "does not separate", but RadioShack sells this thermoplastic:

U Mold

I have used this before and basically you just pour the beads into a bowl of microwaved water, doesn't have to be boiling. You can them mold it with your hands. When cooled it is a hard plastic. It can be melted and molded again if needed. I think this is the same material used in some 3D printers.

Otherwise there are thermosets like Sculpey that are molded at room temperature before being baked in a normal oven. They cannot be remolded. But I think you already know about those.
 
mishima said:
Not sure what is meant by "does not separate", but RadioShack sells this thermoplastic:

U Mold

I have used this before and basically you just pour the beads into a bowl of microwaved water, doesn't have to be boiling. You can them mold it with your hands. When cooled it is a hard plastic. It can be melted and molded again if needed. I think this is the same material used in some 3D printers.

Otherwise there are thermosets like Sculpey that are molded at room temperature before being baked in a normal oven. They cannot be remolded. But I think you already know about those.


Thanks Mishima, could it be remolded endlessly?
 
If you are careful about not contaminating it with dust/dye/paint/etc, then yes it doesn't lose any quality after multiple hardenings. I have honestly not tried it above around 10 times though. There are probably some techniques for cleaning it that I am unaware of.
 
mishima said:
If you are careful about not contaminating it with dust/dye/paint/etc, then yes it doesn't lose any quality after multiple hardenings. I have honestly not tried it above around 10 times though. There are probably some techniques for cleaning it that I am unaware of.


Thanks Mishima, will try it,
KR, Leila
 

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