Making “glass” in 5 seconds
How to turn a photopolymer into a solid
Safety precautions
Perform this experiment in protective gloves and eyewear.
Reagents and equipment
- photopolymer;
- UV-light;
- tray;
- Petri dish;
- beaker;
- broken ceramic bowl.
Step-by-step instructions
Shine a UV light on some photopolymer. The resin hardens almost instantly. This makes it an extremely useful glue! Apply some resin to the edges of the ceramic shards, connect them, and expose them to the UV light. The ceramic bowl is restored! Photopolymer can be used to glue various surfaces together, such as glass and plastic.
Process description
Light, such as UV light, can act on photopolymers to change their properties. UV light initiates a chain of complex chemical transformations, causing the molecules that make up the “foundation” of the photopolymer to link together to form an extremely durable polymer. This influences its physical characteristics, changing it from a liquid to a solid.
Photopolymers are often used to make decorations and crafts. They are also utilized in dentistry as adhesives, sealants, and protective coatings. Moreover, they can be employed in 3D printing because they dry so quickly.