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SMART MATERIALS - POLYMORPH - WHAT IS IT? ADDING DYES AND PIGMENTS - SHAPING BY HAND |
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| WHAT IS POLYMORPH? | |
| Polymorph is regarded as a modern material, although some refer to it as a smart material. It is a thermoplastic polymer, that is ideal for moulding and shaping into different shapes and forms, when modelling prototypes. | |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Polymorph is malleable and can be heated and reshaped time after time, without losing its interesting physical properties. It is a favourite amongst designers and prototypers / modellers. When heated to 62 degrees, it becomes malleable and can even be shaped and formed safely in the hand. When it has cooled down to room temperature, it maintains its moulded shape. It is a reusable material, a favourite in Design and Technology lessons, because it can be reused. | |
| Polymorph is supplied in the form of granules or small plastic beads, either bagged according to weight or in a standard plastic container. | |
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| Although polymorph’s natural colour is white, it can be coloured by the addition of pigments / dyes, during the moulding stage. Polymorph can also be bought in a range of coloured pellets, that can even be mixed in with natural polymorph pellets for ‘lighter’ colours. Pigment powders are slowly added to the heated polymorph, until the right intensity of colour is reached. The same technique is used when using liquid dyes. |
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| Thermochromic pigments (change colour according to temperature) and photochromic pigments (change colour dependent on light levels) can be mixed with melted polymorph. Even with these specialist pigments, used polymorph can be reheated and shaped / formed, without losing their colour intensity. | |
| SHAPING BY HAND | |
| Polymorph is a thermoplastic material, that can be shaped and reshaped any number of times. It is normally supplied as granules that look like small plastic beads. To shape and form, it is heated in hot water. When it reaches 62 degrees centigrade, the granules become a mass of ‘clear’ material, that can be manipulated into almost any form. When cool, it becomes as solid, maintaining its moulded form. Although relatively expensive, polymorph is suitable for 3D modelling, because it can be shaped by hand or pressed in a mould. |
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