Papier-mâché

Paper mache or papier mache (also pulp or paper maché, from Italian also Cartapesta ) is a mixture of paper and a binder, mostly paste, from which can make light, strong, relatively large and relatively cheap statues, sculptures or masks. To some extent, other additives such as chalk or clay added. As a papier-mâché is sometimes (but incorrectly) to mean a layer -wise construction of gelatinized paper. This is the so -called laminating.

For the preparation of torn paper and paste, to make a stiff paste into pieces. After drying this slurry receives a certain strength. Paper mache is therefore well suited for modeling, but needs quite long to dry and high shrinkage.

History

Originally from Eastern or Asian region, paper mache in Europe has been known since the 15th century. First, mainly reliefs and nativity figures were manufactured. By adding high chalk shares produces the so -called stone cardboard, used since the 17th century for the manufacture of dolls (paper Dock ) was used. In Mexico and Latin America, it has long been used to make piñatas. Much of the interior and exterior decoration of the castle Ludwig desire and also the Ludwigsluster city church was made ​​late 18th century papier-mâché, the " Ludwigsluster Carton ". Even the luxury goods manufacturer Stobwasser worked in Berlin and Braunschweig with this material as the basis of its high quality paint work. Other uses found the paper mache in the production of the papal tiaras.

Paper mache had to show in the 19th century, before the invention of Bakelite in 1907, a similarly important role as today many plastics, such as the products of Pappmachédynastie Adt.

Properties

Paper mache can be edited with sandpaper, a sharp knife or a razor saw. Since it is elastic, it can not be processed with a hammer and chisel. It has a relatively high tensile strength.

It is attacked by certain chemicals, so it darkens to brown color with nitric acid and sulfuric acid by acting hygroscopic, black. Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide cause no significant change.

Production

On a laboratory scale represents one paper mache from kleingerissenem newsprint ago, which is soaked in water or doused with hot water and kneaded well, or better, in the steam pot 10 minutes is heated above 100 ° C. This paper dissolves and the fibers are free. With straining, or expressions of liquid water also part of the printer's ink is removed. After cooling slightly dry wallpaper paste powder is well kneaded and made ​​mass smooth and homogeneous by further kneading. Upon drying, the mass is shrinking due to the high water content, which makes a little disturbing at modeling. Therefore, where appropriate, must be reworked with fresh material after the first drying again. The papier-mâché mass keeps in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for long periods of time, but moldy easily. After some time the glue loses its bonding strength and has to be added.

A special form of paper mache, the massive cardboard mass dar. case an extremely high compaction of the paper material in the processing is desired. The result is a compact, lehmähnliche mass. This mass can be processed like clay without voids in the sculpture are formed, as would be the case with paper mache. When paper mache these cavities are usually desirable to reduce either for reasons of economy or the weight.

The advantage of the massive cardboard mass is the very high stability and weather resistance due to the complete block-like solidity. However, is the making of larger sculptures, as in the processing of clay or gypsum, a frame ( the so-called valve) in the core ahead of the sculpture carrying very heavy, especially when wet mass. When drying the box mass on the surface shrinks like paper mache and must be reworked accordingly ( by another application or sanding ).