▲Paraloid B-72(en.wikipedia.org)
154 points by Ariarule 3 days ago | 7 comments
▲zdw 5 hours ago
This is the most esoteric post I've seen on HN in a while.

How many museum curators who need non-yellowing flexible thermoplastic are there on here?

▲aejm 2 hours ago
This post has exactly zero relevance to my professional career or personal projects, and this is exactly the type of esoteric content I love about HN!
▲boppo1 4 hours ago
Oil painter here, this is news to me and if it doesn't dissolve in gamsol this is EXACTLY what I've been looking for for about 2 years.
▲card_zero 4 hours ago
I followed the link to flexographic ink, and now I'm wondering whether boutique fine art flexography could or should exist. Like lithography, but more plastic.
▲kazin1870 4 hours ago
I use paraloid all the time, a bit surprised to see it posted here but I’ll support it.
▲boppo1 4 hours ago
I'm new to it and having trouble finding guides:

- how do I apply it as a coating? I want it to be ~ 1/6" to 1/8" thick and as hard as possible

- will turpentine dissolve or soften it?

▲chromacity 4 hours ago
It's a relatively soft plastic and I don't think you can realistically build a uniform, good-looking layer that's 1/8" thick, if that's what you mean. If you need that thickness, high hardness, and nice appearance, I think your best bet is just a sheet of glass or acrylic on top.

It can be used as protective varnish, but that would be a very thin layer, probably 0.1 mm or something like that.

▲boppo1 4 hours ago
Does it not level from gravity like other resins?
▲halestock 4 hours ago
I found a couple:

https://resources.culturalheritage.org/osg-postprints/wp-con...

https://www.zoicpaleotech.com/pages/paraloid-b72-in-fossil-p...

acetone will dissolve it, dunno about turpentine.

▲boppo1 4 hours ago
I'm reading that turp does not dissolve it, which is ideal so I can mix paint on top of it.
▲ 3 hours ago
▲CarVac 4 hours ago
I've done some DIY piano maintenance and I saw what was presumably this available to firm up the hammers. My piano needs them softened, though.
▲colordrops 4 hours ago
They should make non-yellowing transparent phone cases out of this stuff.
▲CarVac 4 hours ago
Heh, I upvoted this a few days ago and it must've gotten on the second-chance queue.

Links to obsure but interesting Wikipedia articles are some of my favorite HN posts.

▲0xbadcafebee 5 hours ago
Huh. So it's a stronger, harder, less brittle, clear wood glue you can dissolve with acetone. Neat!
▲Xmd5a 3 hours ago
Could this be used to 3D print supports ? For now, the only thermoplastic I know of that can be used to this effect is HIPS in conjunction with d-limonene.
▲aidenn0 4 hours ago
How does its strength compare to MMA structural adhesives? What materials is it compatible with?
▲shermantanktop 48 minutes ago
My only expansion for MMA is “mixed martial arts” and I’m not particularly familiar with it. Maybe there’s a wrestling move called the “structural adhesive”?
▲Joel11 1 hour ago
Thanks for Sharing this information.
▲FpUser 4 hours ago
Am I the only one that read it as Polaroid ;) ?
▲UncleOxidant 4 hours ago
No,you are not. I was expecting it to be a camera.
▲zephen 4 hours ago
I thought it was a cross between a camera and a bomber.
▲tgrowazay 3 hours ago
Polaroid for B-72 bomber
▲mesonwarrior 2 hours ago
[dead]