If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Could "Sculpey" poly clay form part of a waterblock?
In order to make some waterblocks for the
memory chips on a video card (ATI Radeon 9700Pro) I cut some 1/4" copper bar into 1 3/4" X 11//16 and milled a 1/4" channel into each end of which I soldered 1/4" soft copper tube, for connection points. I covered the top and sides of this copper with some "Polyform Products Co. Inc." "Sculpey". It adhered well and after baking and applying sealer (to the outside only), I ran regular tap water thru it for about 7 hours with no leaks. So far this is much easier than trying to get a good seal epoxing Plexiglass. My question is: Well this polymer clay (baked but unsealed, on the inside) stand up to distilled water and a little bit of "Water Wetter"? I have seen where a whiteish bloom was a prob. that could be overcome. What I can't find out is if there is any major structural effect, ie would it melt or turn brittle and or leak. (It seems really stuck onto the copper now.) I'm no artist and have little experience with modeling compounds. Hopeing someone here can help. Ken |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Kathmandu" kathmandu(at)cableone.com wrote in message ... "Ken Maltby" wrote in message m... I covered the top and sides of this copper with some "Polyform Products Co. Inc." "Sculpey". It adhered well and after baking and applying sealer (to the outside only), I ran regular tap water thru it for about 7 hours with no leaks. So far this is much easier than trying to get a good seal epoxing Plexiglass. My question is: Well this polymer clay (baked but unsealed, on the inside) stand up to distilled water and a little bit of "Water Wetter"? I have seen where a whiteish bloom was a prob. that could be overcome. What I can't find out is if there is any major structural effect, ie would it melt or turn brittle and or leak. (It seems really stuck onto the copper now.) As far as I know, a little discoloration is about all that occurs when polymer clay is submerged for long periods. The question is will "Sculpey" hold up and there really isn't much I can say except probably not. Plain white "Sculpey" is probably the weakest, least durable poly clay around. It is great for learning and kids but it is brittle and easily crumbles compared to the better, more durable clays like "Premo" (by the makers of Sculpey) and "Femo" I would use an epoxy clay rather than a poly clay for water contact as the epoxy clay is billed as waterproof when dry and sticks like mad to most surfaces. Durn near indestructible too. Marine grade epoxy putty may be more like what you are looking for as it is available at Wal Mart car section with the sandpaper and is relatively cheap. Let us know how it turns out will ya? Kathmandu Thanks for the responce. The epoxy clay idea sounds just right. As it is I made up the four water blocks with orig. Sculpey and painted them to match the Swiftech waterblock on the GPU. Now it's just a matter of whether it well last until I replace the video card or if it well spring a leak inside my computer case. Thanks, Ken |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Poly Clay/ wicked Candace | Stephanie | Beads | 49 | September 12th 04 03:07 AM |
New Poly Clay Book | BeckiBead | Beads | 1 | June 11th 04 02:36 PM |
poly clay site? | Carla | Beads | 3 | April 24th 04 09:39 PM |
AD: Lampwork Clearance and Poly Clay | Juanita Floyd | Beads | 1 | February 22nd 04 01:09 AM |
AD: Poly Clay and Lampwork End Sat. | Juanita Floyd | Beads | 6 | January 11th 04 01:48 AM |