Sugru

Sugru is the brand name of a patented silicone material with a large variety of applications, such as gluing, forming, sealing, insulating and cushioning.

Material properties

In the initial state, the material has the consistency of modeling clay and can for 30 minutes as such are processed. It hardens within 24 hours and then has about the consistency of hard rubber, that is dimensionally stable and resilient. In addition, the cured material is waterproof, heat resistant ( -60 to 180C ° ), dishwasher safe, non-toxic and available in several colors. Due to these properties, it is characterized by a large number of uses. The shelf life of the packaged material is by the manufacturer six months, but can be extended by cool storage.

The exact composition of the material is kept secret by the manufacturer, but it contains two components, which are considered potentially allergenic, it should not therefore out of the reach of children. Even compared to some solvents Sugru is fickle.

Reception

Sugru is sold to manufacturers as a material with which a user can improve various everyday things (English Hack things better ). It aims therefore mainly due to private users as handymen and hobbyists.

Sugru is best known products in the well known especially among geeks and techies Wired magazine and technology blog Boing Boing. Meanwhile, items are also involved in major British newspapers appeared on Sugru and an online community has developed around the material.

In 2010 Sugru was named by the American Time magazine one of the 50 best inventions of 2010.

Formation

The idea for Sugru comes from the Irish designer Jane Ní Dhulchaointigh, as she sought during their design studies in London for the best modeling for their work. She noted that there was not such material. In collaboration with the two materials scientists Ian Moss and Stephen Westall she developed Sugru in a total of 6 years.