Plexiglas is a low-melting material. When machining with a poorly sharpened tool, its edges may melt. Masters try to avoid this in every possible way. However, quite often it becomes necessary to transfer this substance from a solid state of aggregation to a liquid. For example, in order to create inlay elements from plexiglass.
Necessary
- - metal container;
- - metal matrix;
- - punch;
- - a hammer;
- - dichloroethane.
Instructions
Step 1
If you want to experiment, you just need to heat the plexiglass. Cut the piece into smaller pieces. Put all this in any metal container (keep in mind that after that it will no longer be possible to use it) and put it on a regular burner.
Step 2
Pretty soon you will feel an unpleasant odor, the contents of the container will bubble and turn brown. The resulting substance, of course, you can try to pour in some form. But this method is only good for experience. For example, if you want to show children how a solid turns into a liquid, you will not find a more visual material. Other methods are needed to create art products.
Step 3
Plexiglass does not have to be melted to the end. You can soften it by holding it over the fire. The main thing in this situation is to prevent fire, this material ignites perfectly. Prepare a metal die. It can be made, for example, from aluminum. It is very good to have a metal punch, that is, an object with which you will press the plexiglass into the mold.
Step 4
Wait for the plexiglass to soften. Place it in the die and press it inward with a few hammer blows on the punch. Let the plexiglass cool slightly. Remove the part from the mold, trim off the excess and clean the surface.
Step 5
From a slightly softened sheet of plexiglass, you can make a surface of the desired curvature. The matrix for this can be made of wood. Soften the plexiglass by keeping it in boiling water until it becomes plastic. Place the sheet in the die, press in with a punch and stretch to fit the mold. Cool the sheet, take it out and peel it.
Step 6
If you absolutely need to get liquid plexiglass at home, do not melt it, but dissolve it. Dissolve this material with dichloroethane or carbon tetrachloride. Solvents can be purchased at chemical stores or online stores.
Step 7
Crush the plexiglass and place it in dichloroethane. The pieces will first swell, then dissolve. At this stage, you can add dye, preferably acrylic. Pour the resulting solution into the mold.
