Thermoplastic: refers to the quality of a fiber whose molecular structure breaks down and becomes fluid at a certain temperature, making it possible to reshape the fabric by pleating, moulding or crushing. The fabric is ‘fixed’ on cooling and cannot be altered unless heated to a temperature greater than the one at which it was reshaped.
Vacuum Forming: is a simplified version of thermoforming, whereby a sheet of plastic is heated to a forming temperature, stretched onto or into a single-surface mould, and held against the mould by applying a vacuum between the mould surface and the sheet.
MATERIALS:
Thermoplastic:
- 100% Polyester fabric
- Aluminium foil
- Rubber bands
- Moulding objects or templates which can withstand heat (e.g. marbles, laser cut shapes, yupo paper for making origami like patterned folds)
- A pot for boiling
Vacuum Forming:
- Thermoplastic sheet (e.g. PVC)
- Scissors that cut plastic
- Objects for moulding; solid objects preferred to have some holes in them, helps with vacuum suction
- Vacuum forming machine
boxes were formed using an old picture frame and the tube/tree stump looking object was formed from a toilet roll. There was also wire mesh at the bottom of the vacuum forming machine and it created a wavy scale like texture.
APPLICATIONS:
can be used to make wearables, lampshades (interesting textures/pattern/folds cast when lit)
vacuum forming is very practical, can be used for packaging design
REFLECTION: Vacuum forming is quick and easy and we managed to make moulds for resin and latex to cure in which was very fun! Thermoplastic organza makes structural volumetric structures; its very interesting to physically stretch and touch the fabric after boiling and after all that, it still retains its shape.