plastic from styrofoam?

generaldiaz

New Member
hello all, long time no see.
so I recently discovered this neat and weird thing where you mix acetone with Styrofoam, and you can mold it and when it dries it is a hard plastic. has anyone tried this? does anyone have any knowledge on this? I think this sounds and looks cool, and I want to know if its worth looking into or not. thanks.
 

zathros

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The fumes are why you don't hear about it much anymore, everyone the worked on it long term succumbed to the fumes.***


***I don't know if that has any truth whatsoever, but the fumes are bad and accumulative, and stay in your system. In 10 years you'll wonder why you have C.O.P.D., and can't generate enough air to sneeze or fart!
 

generaldiaz

New Member
that's what I heard that the fumes are bad. that plastimake stuff does sound pretty interesting. when I have some money, ill have to look into getting some.
 

zathros

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This stuff is used for almost anything you can imagine. :)
 

generaldiaz

New Member
Investigate "Zotefoam". I have seen people make fairings for recumbent trikes with stuff. Very easy to work with, just a head gun, but very strong and lite. It is also machinable. :)

Google Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=zot...ved=0ahUKEwjS6YLx9avOAhWRNx4KHVO4CCYQ_AUIBygC

Website: http://www.zotefoams.com/

View attachment 153224 View attachment 153225

Ill have to look into that one too. who knew these interesting things existed. thanks for the product ideas
 

zathros

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When I designed and fabricated Recumbent bikes and Trikes, this stuff was used because it was extremely strong, malleable, and light weight. Hard qualities to find in one object, they also glue/bond together. :)
 

zathros

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Problem is, you breathe those fumes in, and 2 or 3 years later, you get Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disorder, (COPD), it not instantaneous. You have to work in an extremely well ventilated area, and read the instructions and find out if you must use a respirator, or mask or some sort. Very important. Also to consider is the fumes these plastics give off when used as a fairing on a Human. Sometimes a simple coat of paint is all you need to seal it.powered vehicle.
 

spaceagent-9

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my friend from high school shaped surfboards for 20 years. had problems in school and then later was ''nuthin but tumors'' and died. could have avoided most of it if he wore a respirator.
 

zathros

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I worked on materials that were top secret and now my lungs are messed up, and the only ones I know for sure was Beryllium, Cyanide, Trichloroethane (Tap Magic). I'm headed towards COPD. Se la Vid! :drinksmile:
 

spaceagent-9

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im so sorry to hear that Zath, im getting sick too. all I know is that oxygen assist canisters are supposed to help.
 

generaldiaz

New Member
I have decided to keep an arms length distance for this idea, you don't need to convince me anymore. im sorry to hear that. I have known a few people who have had similar issues with working with "interesting" materials only to have them be harmful later in life. thanks for those other material ideas.
 

paper hollywood

Active Member
Why melt perfectly good Styrofoam when you just build your models out it the way it is? That was Hasbro's idea with this model kit series back in the '60s (I think). Called their "Magi-Foam Craft Kits", you were supposed to be able to build something that looked like a fire engine from a few little sheets of what look like packing material. They also had a stagecoach kit and probably a couple of others. Needless to say, this idea didn't last very long.

Hasbro_Magi-Foam_Firetruck-x1.jpg


Hasbro_Magi-Foam_Firetruck-x2.jpg
 

zathros

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I had Styrofoam Fighter Planes but they were built to scale, and did not compensate for P-Factor and other aerodynamic necessities. They glued together with white glue and flew horrible. The consistency between one model and the next was horrible. This is a common problem with dealing with Styrofoam. This kit could have been hard to put together, at least, to make something presentable. :)
 

paper hollywood

Active Member
Yes, I don't really see how something like that would have produced anything presentable at all. Every time I try to do anything with closed cell foam it seems to crumble to pieces. I can't imagine anybody cutting out that firetruck ladder where it would look like anything. I suspect the Hasbro exec who approved that turkey didn't enjoy long term employment.
 
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