New material: PCL?

[Mermaid Azira]

It's been a while since I've posted here oops! More than a while really...

Anyways, in working on a sewing project I've discovered a nifty material by name of polycaprolactone. Anyone know of or used this plastic and have any ideas of how it might work in a tail?

Honestly, I really like using the material, but I'm not sure how one would go about making a tail from it. I'm thinking similar to a hybrid sequin tail but with PCL scales.

To use PCL you basically buy it in pellet form, and then melt in hot water at 66 Celsius. You can then mold it and color it, before it hardens back into plastic. The nice thing about this material is that you can just remelt it over and over if you mess up. Also, you can put in molds without curing problems and such associated with silicone. It's a sturdy little material (I believe it's commonly used in 3d printers), which is both good and bad for a tail application. It's very hydrophobic, and is also biodegradable and skin safe. It's used for false teeth and has some other medical uses. It doesn't let off harmful fumes (unless you burn it, but that doesn't apply here).

Negative things I can think of is that it would not be a good idea in a (very) hot tub, with it's low melting point of 66 Celsius. Also it is has a density 1.145 g/cm3, compared to 1 of distilled water. I'm not sure what this would mean in way of safety, except that it's heavier than water, but maybe it wouldn't be a problem if a neoprene base is used. I'm not sure if the plastic is too sturdy, although you can make it thin and slightly flexible, but it may hinder mobility. That makes me think that some sort of individual scale or sequin mode of application would be necessary. I don't think fins or fluke would be appropriate from this material, just the body.

Anyways, does anyone have any thoughts? I don't know, I enjoy using PCL for making armor and things, and I'm open to the idea of making a tail from it, as in many ways its simpler than silicone, and is something I'm comfortable using. Let me know if you think this pathway is worth more exploration!

[lynsea]

Sounds very similar to the material the H2O and Mako tail scales were made out of. This would be a good option if someone wants to go the individual scale route without using silicone.

[Mermaid Fenicia]

I use this stuff to make my molds ;)

[Merman Storm]

I looked up the material properties to compare them to other materials we use for flukes.

36354

Bottom line, its weak, and you only need to stretch it 3% before it stays stretched.

[Sandra Siren]

Where do you usually buy this? I know there are lots of places online, but I'd rather go to a store to pick it up, if possible...

[Mermaid Azira]

Yeah, it's in no way strong enough to make a fluke out of, though you might be able to get away with coating a mahina merfin with it. Sequin tails work, and it's definitely stronger than sequins without having to make it too thick.

I've only bought it online... I've only used the brand instamorph (highly suggest, especially the color pellets), but the cheapest I've found is polly plastics in a 5lb bag. I have no clue where you could buy it in store, maybe somewhere that sells 3d printing notions?

Edit: I should add that polly plastics is the cheapest only for commercial PCL suppliers who sell through amazon. I'm sure there are some chemistry or engineering suppliers that sell in bulk

[Sandra Siren]

Got it, thanks!

[PearlieMae]

I think it's too brittle to use as fluke material. The stress of the water pressure will more than likely snap it in the first our second stoke.

[Ashton]

I think I have used that stuff before, not for mermaid stuff, but for small prop details. I believe the stuff I used was called "friendly plastic". And the way you are describing the PCL, makes it sound a bit like the same stuff.

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