PMC Aqua
PMC Aqua, a new innovation by The Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.
How to Make a Good Thing Even better
・PMC Aqua is ideal for extending the working life of your PMC by rehydration. PMC can be reconstituted with water, but Aqua brings the clay back to its optimal pliability.
・Aqua can also be used to recover pieces of PMC that are completely dry. Reduce the dry material to small pieces or powder, mix with Aqua, wrap tightly and allow to rest.
・PMC Aqua can be used to rehydrate all types PMC including PMC Sterling, OneFire Sterling PMC and PMC3. In addition, it has the following effect for PMC Flex.
Turn your PMC Flex into “Super Flex”
The benefit of PMC Flex is that it remains flexible after several hours of working. To increase even this working time and flexibility, add Aqua as described below. It is even possible to make your own syringe-style clay by adding Aqua to PMC Flex. This unique ability to control the pliability of the clay makes it perfect for quilling, plaiting, etc.
How to Use PMC Aqua
Use PMC Aqua to restore any type of PMC that started to dry out. Achieving the desired flexibility is a matter of matching the amount of Aqua with a “resting time” that allows the liquid to interact with the binder in the clay. The chart below gives some guidance, and personal experience will quickly demonstrate what works for you. Note that using too much Aqua risks making the clay sticky, so it is better to use less liquid and leave the clay to stand longer.
The guidelines below refer to 5 grams of PMC (about the size of a peanut).
Adjust the amount of Aqua and the length of resting time accordingly.
|
Aim |
No of drops of PMC Aqua |
Resting time one added |
|
Restore semi-dry clay |
5 |
10 minutes |
|
Restore dry clay (broken into small pieces) |
15 |
6 hours |
|
Softening PMC Flex to make thin sheet or coils |
5 |
|
How to Make Sheet
Prepare PMC Flex as per above, press a lump flat by hand then flatten it with a roller. Allow the sheet to sit uncovered for a few minutes to allow the surface of the clay to dry. Sheet as thin as 0.2mm can be made for origami, quilling, plaiting, overlay and other purposes. Please note that it needs to be structurally supported as sheet thinner than a millimeter will snap if bent sharply.
How to make thin coils
Prepare PMC Flex as described above and load the soft clay into an empty syringe. (You can re-use an empty PMC3 syringe). To get started, insert a needle or wire into the nozzle and slowly press the plunger. This will remove excess air and make the extrusion easier. Trim the nozzle to a size and shape for the coil size you desire. As with the sheet, allow the wire to dry for a few minutes before using it. The result is a remarkably pliable coil that can be used in many ways.
Hints and Tips
- The liquid may become separated in storage; shake before using.
- If you accidentally use too much Aqua, leave the clay exposed to air until it dries to the desired state.
- When firing, avoid a rapid rise in temperature because this might cause the clay to blister or deform. Instead, bring the kiln up to temperature slowly for the first 30 minutes. After that, you can apply the same firing time and temperature as instructed for each type of PMC.
SAFETY – In case of contact with eyes, immediately flush eyes with plenty of clean water. Though rare, it is possible to experience a skin rash or itchiness from PMC Aqua. If you have a reaction, discontinue use and consult a physician. Wash hands after use, do not ingest and keep out of the reach of children.
