3 replies to this topic

[pyrochris]

All of my aluminum containing stars are very soft and crumple easily, even after a week. I am using dextrin as a binder.

Why Oh Why?

Thanks

Edited by pyrochris, 10 July 2005 - 07:34 PM.

[adamw]

It is likely that it is coated with something like stearin, which protects the alumunium and stops it reacting with the air. Stearin is very greasy and will counteract the effect of the binder. If the alu powder smells 'oily' then I would say it is the coating.

[Pretty green flames]

Try NC Lacquer

[pyrochris]

Thanks! I didn't even think about NC lacquer. I still have a jar of that stuff laying around that I made out of ping pong balls and acetone!

Also, what Adamw said also seems to make sense. It must be coated in something because none of my other chemicals cause any such problems.

Edit: Yes, it has a sweet, oily smell...

NC laquer works better, but I can still crush the stars between my fingers...

Maybe if I use my glitter stars as cores for tiger tail stars, their weekness will no longer be an issue.

Edited by pyrochris, 17 July 2005 - 09:01 PM.