Surface Design – W11 ( Resin and Latex )

Resin and Latex

What is Resin and Latex?

“Resin” is a term widely and commonly used to describe a compound that starts in a liquid form and then hardens to a solid, thus mimicking tree resin. True resin comes from trees.  It is an organic material used in the manufacture of varnishes, food glazing agents and also incense and perfumes (think pine scented products).Synthetic resins like the ones used for jewellery, crafting and industry have been manufactured to mimic natural plant resins – that is they are viscous (thick + sticky) liquids that are capable of hardening permanently.  They are an inorganic material.

Natural Latex is a milky substance harvested from rubber tree plants (Havea brasiliensis) which are grown in tropical climate plantations around the world. Natural Latex is bio-degradable and naturally resistant to mold, mildew & bacteria.Synthetic latex is a man-made molecular copy of natural latex. The scientific name for this compound is Styrene-Butadiene (SBR).

Resin and Latex Technique:
– Resin

– Latex

Resin

Materials Used:
– Resin
– Hardener
– Mold
– Weighing Machine
– Grease Agent

Experiment:

    

Pour the desire amount of resin you want into a container place ontop of a weighing machine. Take the amount of resin shown on the scare and times 0.03. That is the amount of harder that we would need to add into our resin. So, the hardener should be 0.03% of the amount of the resin amount.

    

Give it a quick mixed and even mixed. The whole process must be done really quickly so recommended to have your mold sprayed with grease agent prepared first if not the resin would dry up really quickly. 

    

So I wanted to create earrings out of the acrylic rings that I laser cut from previous etching class. I have to first lay a thin layer of resin into my ring. Using a toothpick to slowly pick up resin bit by bit to filled the ring because it has a small area to work with. Then placing my dried flower on the first layer of resin and then cover them with a second layer of resin. Doing so I must make sure I filled up the base evenly so that there are no empty spots but also not to put too much that it over flow the thickness of the acrylic thickness as it would be unable to encapsulate. 

   

I also cut rings that I thought I could play with some wool left over from the felting class. I place a acrylic sheet at the bottom to help secure my resin earrings and also to easier move around. I had to spray slightly more grease agent as I am afraid it can’t be remove after it is dried. 

    

I was a little sad because I did not know that wool would not be visible after I pour the second layer of resin:( But I am happy because it also create a soft thin of pastel colour inside the resin which I find it quite special:) “It is alright if the resin over flow, even though it is not recommended but it can be removed after resin dry:)

    

My classmate also bought some saga seed and I thought why not try to encapsulate something slightly larger and more 3D:) while it is drying I felt it kinda look like fried egg. 

TADA!!:)

Latex

Materials Used:
– Liquid latex
– Hardener
– Mold
– Weighing Machine
– Grease Agent

Experiment:

    

As usual spray grease agent onto the surface you want to pour your latex. I poured 100g of Liquid latex and add in 2-5g of hardener. And for me I wanted to create a flesh like look for my latex, so I added some red acrylic paint inside while I mixed the latex to create this pinkish colour. Putting on aluminium foil I wanted to create the crumple surface texture to it so hopefully it forms well:)

    

Then place your latex under the sun to dry. I was thinking maybe because I add in too little hardener. It take super long to dry and I am still unable to peel it off the aluminium foil:(

   

It was quite fail as the latex was not dry enough and thus sticking onto the foil:( even after peeling them the surface was sticky.

   

Even though it was sticky, but I really love the texture it was created. It and also the light pinkish effect was really special to me:) One tip, I coated it with baby powder and then shake them off, so they are not sticky now! and smell so nice:)

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