Sugru
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Sugru (/ˈsuːɡruː/[1]), also known as Formerol, is a patented[2] multi-purpose, non-slumping brand of silicone rubber that resembles modeling clay.
Properties
Sugru is malleable when removed from its airtight, moisture-proof packaging, retains its plasticity for thirty minutes,[3] and is self-curing at room temperature in approximately 24 hours. The material adheres to aluminium, steel, copper, ceramics, glass, fabric, brass, leather, plywood and other materials including ABS plastics.[2]
When cured, it has a 'soft touch' or slightly flexible, grippable texture similar to features commonly found in soft overmolds. It is waterproof and dishwasher-safe,[4] and the material is thermally insulating, with a service temperature range between −50 and 180 °C.[2] Sugru is not resistant to isopropyl alcohol.[5] While early versions of the product had a short shelf-life, as of 2014 it is advertised as staying fresh for 13 months from the date it was made.[6][7] According to the product packaging, if kept in a refrigerator, the shelf-life is tripled.
History
The idea for Sugru was developed by Jane Ní Dhulchaointigh from Kilkenny, Ireland.[8] Ní Dhulchaointigh studied product design as a post-graduate research student at the Royal College of Art[8] where she conceived the idea for the substance in 2003 while using mixtures of standard silicone sealants and sawdust in her work.[9]
After receiving business grants,[10] Ní Dhulchaointigh worked with retired scientists from Dow Corning[11] and a silicone expert over a seven-year period[9] at the materials department at Queen Mary, University of London[9] to develop a silicone elastomer that was moldable, self-adhesive and self-curing. Her goal was to enable people "to easily and affordably repair, improve or customize things they already own."[11]
Sugru was developed by and is marketed by FormFormForm, a company in Hackney, London, with over 100,000 customers as of 2012, annual sales of $2 million, and a staff of 30.[12]
In May 2015, the company launched a campaign to raise £1 million on the crowdfunding site CrowdCube.[13] The company reached its £1 million funding target in just four days[14] and continued on to raise well over £3 million.[15]
The name Sugru derives from the Irish language word "súgradh" for "play".[8]
Chemical compound
The formulation of sugru contains 30% silicone caulk (polysiloxane) 20-50% talc, and the remaining additives including: methyltris (methylethylketoxime) silane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and dioctyltin dilaurate.[16] The company claims its formulation can be varied to offer different levels of consistency, plasticity, softness, resiliency, surface adhesion, modulus and abrasion resistance, setting time, density, and ability to float.[citation needed]
The company claims that Sugru is classified under EU Health & Safety regulations[clarification needed] as "not dangerous",[17] but that it may cause an allergic skin reaction in uncured form.[18]
See also
References
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- ↑ http://lifehacker.com/5574595/sugru-is-moldable-silicone-perfect-for-all-your-diy-ideas-and-repairs
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- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120722095421/https://getsatisfaction.com/sugru/topics/is_sugru_resistant_to_oil_petrol_solvents
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