Chemistry for the Innovative Artist

 

Humans have utilized clay for thousands of years. Considered one of the most common materials found on or near the Earth’s surface, clay has not changed much since our earliest ancestors began using it for pottery, toolmaking, and homebuilding.

That was until LSU chemistry professor John Pojman managed to transform the natural material into a substance of the future.

On Jan. 17, Pojman attended the Creativation trade show in Phoenix, Arizona, where he introduced his product to artists and inventors alike. “QuickCure Clay” is a pliable material that has an unlimited working time and requires no mixing. Additionally, the clay will harden rapidly when using a simple heat tool, like a heat gun, which means no expensive kiln or oven is necessary. The reaction of polymers in the clay and heat makes the product harden into a lightweight but strong substance.

“QCC is a self-baking clay. Once part of the sample is heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat released by the chemical reaction causes a chain reaction that rapidly hardens the entire sample,” the chemist said.

With this “cure-on-demand” clay, artists no longer need to feel rushed to finish their art in fear of the clay drying up.

Pojman is the world expert on “frontal polymerization,” which is a self-propagating reaction that converts liquid resins to hard polymers and is the basis for QuickCure Clay. Pojman Polymer Products, LLC, located at the Louisiana Business & Technology Center, recently licensed the product to New Jersey-based Ranger Industries. 

“We are very excited to be selling QuickCure Clay,” said Justin Russo, president of Ranger. “It is truly a unique product for the arts and craft market, and we believe it will be a ‘game changer’ in the industry.”

Dr. Pojman added that he is particularly pleased to be working with Ranger because “the company is in its 90th year and is a leader in the arts and crafts industry.”