What is precious metal clay?

Question

Saw DR asking for a source of it and realized I'd never heard of it.

Answer 1

PMC consists of microscopic particles of silver or gold suspended in an organic binder to create a pliable material with a consistency similar to modeling clay. PMC can be worked with the fingers and simple inexpensive tools to create a vast range of forms and surfaces that would be unattainable or laborious with traditional techniques. When heated to a high temperature, the binder burns away and the metal particles fuse to form solid metal that can be sanded, soldered, colored and polished like conventional material. This booklet describes some of the techniques devised for PMC and will guide you through your first firing experience.

Answer 2

First, there's much more info re "metal clays" on this page of my site (+ links to examples and lessons):
http://glassattic.com/polymer/Characteristics.htm
(...click on the category **Metal Clays** which is near the bottom of the list at the top of that page..)


Precious Metal Clay is one brand of "metal clay."

Basically, "metal clays" have real silver particles/powder embedded in an air-dry, clay-like medium which allows them to be shaped and molded while uncured.

To cure them, a high temperature is needed... some require a kiln, others may required only a torch, etc., but the temperature is still a lot higher than a home oven would reach.

After the clay-like shapes are fired they'll look white, but will be almost-pure silver after the white stuff is brushed/scrubbed off.

This is a fairly expensive material though (because it *is* silver), so generally only small items are made from it.

The only two brands of metal clay I know of are "Precious Metal Clay" and "Art Clay Silver," though each has a few different lines under its brand that may behave differently.


HTH,

Diane B.