Acrylic Work Honor

Arts & Crafts

Requirements

1. Make a list of the materials and equipment needed to make small acrylic pieces cast in plastic molds.

   Answer: Acrylic resin + MEK-P catalyst, molds, a cup, a spatula, a scale and complete PPE (gloves/mask/goggles). — Acrylic resin + catalyst starts the polymerization (it hardens in 30-60min). Typical proportion: 1-2% catalyst. Silicone molds reproduce fine details; plastic ones are cheaper. Complete PPE is MANDATORY — toxic vapors and contact with the skin cause dermatitis. Brands: Redelease, Maxiplas. Cost R$80-150/liter of resin.

2. Know how to properly clean and care for the plastic molds.

   Answer: Wash with warm water + neutral soap. Dry. Apply a release agent (petroleum jelly) before use. Store dry. — Neutral soap prevents chemical attack on the mold's plastic. The release agent makes removal easier and increases the mold's lifespan from 50 to 200+ uses. Industrial petroleum jelly is an economical alternative to the commercial spray Mold Release Agent. Stacking molds deforms them — store them individually on a shelf with fabric between each one to protect them well.

3. What safety precautions should be taken when working with acrylic?

   Answer: Gloves/goggles/P2 mask. A ventilated place. No flame (flammable). Wash the skin if there is contact. An adult present. — MEK-P catalyst releases vapors that irritate the eyes, lungs and skin. The resin is flammable (flash point 32°C) — fire is forbidden. On the skin it causes dermatitis by chemical contact. A P2 mask filters organic vapors. A ventilated place prevents the accumulation of gases. Keeping a fire extinguisher nearby is prudent in home studios for emergencies.

4. Explain how to mix resin for:
   • Melt (fuse)
   • Make a colored layer

   Answer: 1) Cast: mix 100 ml of resin with 1-2 ml of catalyst (about 1-2%), stirring slowly for about 1 minute to avoid the formation of bubbles; then pour into the mold to cure. 2) Make a colored layer: mix the resin with the catalyst in the same proportion, adding the pigment (about 5 g) or pearl powder already incorporated into the resin BEFORE adding the catalyst, ensuring a uniform color without bubbles. — The exact proportion is critical — too little catalyst does not harden, too much generates a dangerous exothermic reaction (above 80°C). Powder pigments (Pinta Acrílica, Lyon) are the most used. Colored layers create a 3D effect — wait for the first to harden (30min) before pouring the next. Herbs, dried flowers or figures can be inserted as decoration.

5. What is the purpose of the following materials?
   • Catalyst
   • Surface hardener
   • Pigments

   Answer: 1) Catalyst: a substance that initiates and accelerates the chemical reaction of polymerization (curing) of the acrylic resin, making it go from a liquid to a solid state. The correct proportion is essential: too little catalyst leaves the piece soft and sticky, an excess causes too much heat, cracks and yellowing. 2) Surface conditioner (release agent): a product applied to the mold before pouring the resin; it creates a film that prevents the piece from sticking, making it easier to demold without breaking and preserving the smooth finish of the mold. 3) Pigments: additives that give color to the resin, found in powder, liquid or paste. They are mixed into the resin before curing, allowing opaque, translucent or special-effect pieces depending on the quantity and type used. — The catalyst (MEK-P) is the chemical trigger: without it the resin never hardens. The conditioner is a spray or wax applied to the inner surface of the mold before the resin — it makes removing the finished piece easier. Powder pigments give a solid color; pearl gives a metallic shine; colored transparent creates a stained-glass effect. Each one has a clear, distinct function.

6. What does polymerization mean?

   Answer: A reaction where small molecules (monomers) link into long chains (polymers). The liquid becomes a solid. — Discovered by Hermann Staudinger (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1953). Acrylics polymerize by addition with a peroxide catalyst. The heat released (exothermic) reaches 60-80°C. The speed depends on: the amount of catalyst, the ambient temperature and the total amount of mass. PVC, PET and nylon are also polymers formed by similar industrial polymerization.

7. Make 3 cast pieces with at least one item embedded in each of them.

   Answer: 3 pieces with embedded items (a leaf, a flower, a shell, a photo, a coin). Position them between 2 layers. Photo. — Embedding creates the visual effect of a suspended object. The items must be dry (water from the flower causes bubbles and discoloration over time). A common photo stains — laminate it or print it on a laser printer. A shell, stone or coin work directly. Pour the 1st layer, position the item and cover it with the 2nd layer after the first one hardens (30 min).

8. Prepare and embed 2 items from nature that are appropriate for this technique. The items from nature can be embedded in one cast piece or more.

   Answer: Choose 2 natural items (a leaf, a flower, a seed, a shell, a dried insect). Dry them for 1 week. Laminate a photo if you use one. Embed it in the resin between 2 layers. — Dry items do not create vapor bubbles during the exothermic polymerization (60-80°C). Leaves pressed in a book for 1 week are ideal. Insects preserve well in resin (a technique used in jewelry since 1900). Shells and seeds do not need preparation. The original color remains visible through the transparency of the resin.