Polymer clay - what is it? Self-hardening polymer clay

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:47

Today there are a lot of creative people who have chosen clay modeling as their hobby. Moreover, great opportunities have now opened up for them, with the advent of its new species on sale. The material has become more elastic, easy to use. But many needlewomen are not yet familiar with it, and they have a natural question: "Polymer clay - what is it?"

FIMO, Kato and others

Polymer clay is an elastic material that is pleasant to work with. It is produced with different properties: one should be dried in the oven, the other is self-hardening. There are a lot of polymer clay manufacturers today, these are FIMO, Decoclay, Cernit, Kato and other companies. Having experienced different types of product, you can understand the purpose of each of them. From one it is convenient to make large figures, from the other type - small details.

The most popular among crafters is FIMO, polymer clay, which meets all the requirements. The company releases FIMO air Light: afterdrying of the product becomes easy. In addition, it is a harmless and environmentally friendly material. In English, the material is called modeling clay, but in our country it is clay, plastic, polymer clay, polymer clay.

Composition of polymer clay

Each kind of polymer clay consists of a base material and a plasticizer. The base is polyvinyl chloride or PVC, and the plasticizers are phthalates. PVC in its structure is gelatin-like particles, which, when heated, perfectly absorb phthalates, a fatty liquid. The mixture heats up and the gelling process begins: the powder particles swell, tightly seize with each other. The result is a substance called "plasticized PVC". The plasticity of the starting material is determined by plasticizers: the more of them, the softer the mass.

Production of polymer clay includes color pigments, dyes. The composition may include chalk or talc. The properties of the plastic are such that it quickly begins to harden, even 60 degrees Celsius is enough. During operation, this complicates the manufacturing process. To slow down the gelation of the mass a little, stabilizers are added to it.

Properties of clay

Polymer clay is a plastic mass that resembles plasticine, but with a characteristic smell. When heated in an oven, in a microwave oven or cooking, 130 degrees is enough to harden products from it. They lose their plasticity, their shape can no longer be changed. The finished parts are glued together, and then the figure is painted with acrylic paints,varnished. Some types of clay are produced without color pigment. But many manufacturers add fluorescent substances to it for glow in the dark, sparkles.

Self-hardening polymer clay does not require heat treatment. The finished product simply dries in the air. This will take at least a day. But such clay has several differences from baked clay: its texture is uneven and after drying, the product decreases in size and shrinks. This type of plastic is made from natural materials and is often used to create a larger shape than jewelry. Small sculptures, dolls, toys are made from it. Products can be processed: sawing, drilling.

Bake Clay

Bake polymer clay: what is it? This is the complete opposite of the self-hardening composition, it is much more plastic and more like plasticine. It keeps its shape better and does not change it after heat treatment. The color also remains unchanged. If, after drying, products from hardening clay become lighter in weight, then from baked clay they remain heavy. They are hard, dense and cannot be processed. They can only be sanded and varnished.

Producers of baked clay produce it in a wide range of colors that do not change due to heat treatment. Therefore, finished products do not require painting. And the masters of modeling from polymer clay are able to create masterpieces from it, especially in the form of jewelry. Of course, because of theirqualities baked clay is more expensive than self-hardening. But the choice always remains with those who use it in their work. You should try both types and draw your own conclusions.

Working with material

As mentioned above, self-hardening polymer clay does not require any heating and hardens on its own in air. Some types can dry in a few hours, while others in a few days. It depends on the manufacturer. Such plastic is stored only in closed form. For this, special containers are produced, but you can simply pack the clay in cling film or a plastic bag. FIMO is considered one of the most popular manufacturers. Polymer clay is produced in several types and is in great demand. This is:

- FIMO air basic, which is environmentally friendly due to the natural substances that make up its composition. Even children can work with it.

- Air microwave that can even be microwaved.

- Air natural - composed of 95% cellulose, it becomes very durable after drying and is recommended for making figurines and dolls.

- Air light - after drying, it loses weight and becomes very light. Small hanging objects are made from it.

Some Moments

If the clay dries very quickly during work, then you should try to take a small amount of material. The rest of the plastic should be well packed in cellophane. To prevent drying, it is necessary to moisten unfinished parts with water.work. How is polymer clay stored? The instructions say not to leave it open. After the factory sealed packaging is opened, the plastic should be wrapped in a film and several plastic bags. In this form, it will last longer, but not forever.

Some plastics, such as FIMO air, shrink after drying. All this is due to the water content in it. If the product has changed a lot, then these sections should be added.

Color Palette

In order for the products to be colorful, you need to purchase several colors of clay. Not necessarily the entire spectrum of the rainbow, a few primary colors are enough, which, when mixed, will give the desired shades. There are five main colors: blue, red, black, white and yellow. Polymer clay for flowers, making plants, buds will need different shades. To create a complete palette, the material is mixed in different proportions:

- to get green - combine yellow and blue material;

- blue with red - will give a lilac hue;

- red mixed with yellow is orange;

- white and black material - will help to make the mass darker or lighter.

The amount of polymer clay of the desired color is mixed at once, because it is very difficult to repeat the same shade.

Paperclay - a kind of material

This is another US clay manufacturer. They also have a range of productsvaried. One of the types is Delight. It is elastic and soft material that dries up to three days. It all depends on how thick the layers of modeling are. The weight of the product is reduced by half. The finished form can, according to need, be processed: cut, sanded. If Paperclay is diluted with water, then it can be used for gluing parts. This type of clay is suitable for making large items.

Creative is also a polymer clay that is needed in the work. What is it and why is it important? Creative is a material that has excellent properties for making small parts and molds. It can be connected to wood or cardboard without the use of glue. This type of "polymer" does not cause allergies, has no smell. The result is a durable material that can be sanded, cut, machined.

Pearl Paperclay is a material made from natural ingredients, non-toxic. Available without staining - white and intended for use in school projects. Ideal for children's creativity. After drying, the clay hardens and is easily painted with felt-tip pens, paints.

Another competitor - EFA PLAST

Like all polymer clay manufacturers, Eberhard Faber has developed several types of material. But the company limited itself not only to clay: they sell both tools for work and molds for products. EFA PLAST is a world famous polymer clay. What is it and what are its features?

Classic material is designed for large items. Afteras it dries and hardens, the clay does not crack or shrink. Recommended for puppeteers. But everything can be done from Classic clay - it is a universal material. Available in three colors: nude, terracotta and white.

Light - almost the same as Classic: due to the addition of cellulose, this clay has become lighter. Soft, elastic, it is perfectly smoothed, well fastened. Flower petals, wings for insects are perfectly made from it. Available in two shades: white and terracotta.

Compliance with safety rules

Always observe safety rules while working:

- Children are not allowed to play with raw material. Be sure to wash your hands after sculpting.

- Use gloves when handling clay or wash your hands more often.

- For baking, there must be a separate oven that is not used for food. But if it is still a food oven, then it should be processed and ventilated.

- When baking, the temperature regime must be maintained: it should not exceed 130 degrees. If the material burns, then a very harmful gas will be released, which causes poisoning. You should leave the room and do not enter until it is ventilated.

- It is desirable that there is a thermometer in the stove. But if it is not there, then the door should be slightly opened. If the product is undercooked, it's okay.

Each master chooses the kind of clay thatsuitable for the intended product. From all the variety provided by manufacturers, you can make a huge range of products: from figurines, dolls to jewelry, flowers. Not even to list all the possibilities of this interesting material - polymer clay. One has only to start, and this activity will become the main hobby for everyone.