Introduction of Polymer Clay
Meaning of Polymer
Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.
Polymer Clays
Polymer Clay, a non-toxic synthetic modeling art material that is available in various brands, naming a few like Fimo, Sculpey, Premo, Kato Polyclay and Cernit.
They are made from basic ingrediant - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), other ingredients - Inert fillers giving it bulk and sometimes textures,dyes and pigments to give it color, and a plasticizer which is an oily chemical that allows the microscopic chains of PVC molecules to slide over each other at room temperature but lock onto each other when the clay is heated.
However, each brand is made with its own 'recipe", with different resins, plasticizers and other secret ingredients optimizing each for a different usage.
Hence, the brands may have the same/similar general colors but still on the other hand, each brand may look slightly different having their own color palette and characteristics.
Manufacturers also make some special wonderful clays to perform certain effects on its own. There are few examples like:
- Pearlescent and Metallic color incorporating tiny mica flakes that gives a shimmering luster.
- Fluorescent colors using brilliant pigments which could perk up a dull color by simply blending them together with a dab.
- Glow-in-the-dark that can shine at night.
- Glittery clays that contain short colored fibers that make them look like stones - own stone clay can also be achieve by mixing embossing powder into translucent clays.
The one similarity of these materials compared to natural clay is that you work with it while it is soft,
after which will hardened permanently after baking them in your home conventional oven at a temperature of 265º - 275º F depending on the clay brands and type of project u are making.
Instructions and baking duration are often found on the clay package itself.
Once baked, the materials can be painted on, carve, sand, drill, fold, texture, stamp , make it look like wood or stone and even re-bake if necessary.
Types of Polymer Clay
Different brands could be blended successfully due to similarity, but individual brands do have their own characteristics and qualities.
It is encouraged to familiarize and judge for youself on these various brand's property to achieve an easy job in choosing the right clay for your projects.
Manufacturers will develope and release new products, even change clay formulas from time to time, therefore, i would highly recommend you to test and experiment the various brands out on your own in order to choose or make a better decision on which brand suits your crafts best.
In the next section, you can find some brief introduction on the various types and characteristics of clays found in the market.
- Fimo
Perhaps one of the best known brand among polymer clay users due to its firmness.
The first and serve as an all-purpose clay, made by a German art supplies manufacturer name Eberhard Faber.
However, the disadvantage of this clay could be the difficulties in conditioning them due to their stiffness.
Hence, due to this disadvantage they had the Fimo Soft developed and Fimo had now been known as Fimo Classic.
- Fimo Classic - Originally known as Fimo.
Fimo Classic is a very firm clay originally known as Fimo which was somwhat claimed as softened from the origin, which was also known as the most difficult and hardest to condition clay. It requires alot more time and patiance to condition this material which could be quite fustrating sometimes especially for beginners.
However, on the other hand, it is one of an excellent and preferred choice among cane makers and sculptors as it has the ability to hold and remain shapes, sharp and intricate designs distinctively with little distortions and remaining strong after baking.
- Fimo Soft
Fimo Soft is developed with more comfort and easiness towards conditioning.They are pressure sensitive clay which softens with pressure, running it through pasta machine or simply using a roller to condition them.
There are dayglow, transparents / translucent, metallics (glittery), stone (granite effects) colors, true metallic of gold, silver and copper (mica-containing) and also the metallic white (semi-glitter whitish translucent).
They also remains strong after baking.
- Fimo Liquid
Fimo Liquid is a transparent liquid clay and flexible. You can transfer images with this liquid, serve as an adhesive bonding cured and raw pieces together and even applying it simply as a varnish.
- Sculpey
Developed by Polyform Products - Marie and Howard Segal of the Clay Factory of Escondido.
The characteristic of this brand that it's softness works well for children and beginners, it takes well with paints and also has a nice, slightly matte finish after baking.
However, it tends to be fragile especially baking in thin sheets. Its more recommended to working with solid shapes. A clay that is popular with railroad, dollhouse modellers
Polyform products produce serveral types namely Sculpey III, Premo Sculpey, Sculpey Superflex, SuperSculpey and Liquid Sculpey.
- Sculpey III
Sculpey III is easy to work with and gives an attractive matte finish after baking.They have various types including exmaples of translucent, pearl (glitter) and granitex.
Be careful not to set the temperature too high, they will sometimes turn slightly brownish easily on some and also became relatively chalky and brittle after baking thus resulting them to easily breaks if dropped.
- Premo Sculpey
Premo Sculpey is strong and are considerably flexible when baked properly. They are an all-purpose clay.
Considered a good alternatives for caneworks as they are firm enough to hold and create distinct designs, easy to condition and work with.
However, they are commented too soft and sticky for some sculptors and dollmakers.
- Sculpey Superflex
Sculpey Superflex is a highly flexible and bendable clay after baking, they are very soft and most times will turn sticky when working with it.
They could be one of an alternative clay to create moulds. However, ensure you remember to coat the clay with baby powder or repel agent to prevent the clays being stuck to your object.
- Liquid Sculpey
Liquid Sculpey is a translucent liquid clay that's waterproof and flexible after curing. You can transfer images with this liquid clay, serve as an adhesive bonding cured and raw pieces together and even apply it simply as a varnish.
