Thermoplastic beads, sometimes called moldable plastic pellets or InstaMorph, are small granules made from a polymer that softens when heated and hardens when cooled. They essentially act like reusable plastic clay.
When heated above a certain temperature, the reusable polymorphic beads become pliable and can be shaped, and when cooled back to ambient temperature, they solidify and hold their shape. This reversible phase change is characteristic of thermoplastics.
These thermoplastic pellets consist of a polymer plastic with a low melting point and are ideal for use in model making, cosplay, minor repairs, and are also suitable for making prototypes or theatrical props such as fangs, etc.
The material is not very suitable for painting, as it "repels" all types of paint. You can of course use paints, but you should keep in mind that the applied paint can easily rub off. It is always advisable to use an acrylic primer to improve adhesion.
How to melt thermoplastic beads?
Melting thermoplastic beads is more like simply softening them. Heat the material to a temperature where the beads become transparent and pliable, but do not let them completely liquefy, as this can cause the polymer to degrade. Once softened, the beads can be easily joined and shaped.
The most common method is as follows:
- Heat the water or use another heat source – one safe and common method is to heat the water to around 60-65°C.
- Dip the balls in warm water, once they are warm enough, they will become translucent, soften and start to stick together.
- You need to work quickly with heated material and not let it cool down.
- The balls can be shaped by hand (wearing heat-resistant gloves), with various tools, or they can be pressed into prepared molds.
- After shaping, let the part cool slowly; the cooling phase will fix the shape of the modeled object.
- If you want to reshape the part, reheat it in warm water or with a heat gun and reshape.
Note: Some users also use a heat gun for small pieces, but direct heating requires more caution to avoid overheating or burning.
Package contents
The package contains 100 g of white moldable thermoplastic balls.
