Polymer clay is primarily composed of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) base, combined with other ingredients to create a malleable modeling material.
As a synthetic type of modeling clay, its foundation is the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) base. This base material is what gives polymer clay its characteristic feel and its ability to harden when heated.
Beyond the primary PVC ingredient, other components are added to the mixture to achieve the desired properties, color, and consistency of the final product. These additional ingredients typically include:
- Fillers: Substances added to give the clay bulk and stability.
- Pigments: Colorants that provide the wide range of hues available in polymer clay.
- Bendable plasticizers: These are crucial as they make the PVC pliable and easy to sculpt at room temperature. Without them, the PVC would be a rigid plastic.
Together, these ingredients form the versatile material known as polymer clay, which hardens permanently when cured (typically by baking).
