Yes, generally, air dry clay can handle heat, but there's a crucial condition: it must be fully dried and hardened first.
Understanding Air Dry Clay and Heat Exposure
Air dry clay is a versatile modeling material that hardens when exposed to air, without the need for firing in a kiln. It's commonly used for sculptures, jewelry, and decorative items. A frequent question arises regarding its durability when subjected to heat, especially if used in conjunction with materials that require baking, like polymer clay.
According to information available, most or all air-dry clays can be heated without problems after they have completely dried and hardened.
The Critical Condition: Dryness
The key factor determining whether air dry clay can withstand heat is its state of dryness. Wet or damp air dry clay should not be heated, as the rapid expansion of moisture can cause it to crack, bubble, or even break apart. Only fully air-dried pieces are suitable for heat exposure.
Evidence from Practice
The reference confirms that dry air-dry clay is stable under heat in various scenarios:
- Alone: Heated by itself.
- Inside Polymer Clay: Used as a permanent armature (internal support structure) within polymer clay.
- Partly Inside or On Polymer Clay: Integrated into or attached to polymer clay pieces.
In all these cases, assuming the air dry clay is dry, it can be heated, often as part of the baking process for other materials like polymer clay.
Why Might Air Dry Clay Be Heated?
One common reason dry air dry clay might be heated is when it is used as a lightweight armature inside polymer clay sculptures. Polymer clay requires baking at specific temperatures (typically between 275°F and 325°F, or 135°C and 160°C) to harden. Since the dry air dry clay is already inside the polymer clay, it will be subjected to the same baking temperatures. The reference confirms this is a viable application because dry air dry clay can handle these temperatures without issue.
Summary of Heat Handling Capabilities
In summary, dry, hardened air dry clay is resilient enough to withstand heat exposure. It can be heated alone or when combined with other materials like polymer clay that require baking. Ensure the clay is thoroughly dry before any heat application.
