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Cold Formed Plastic
This short film from the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP) is one of a series of clips which were produced to demonstrate the properties and use of a range of smart materials.
Cold formed plastic (CFP) looks like acrylic but has a toughness approaching polycarbonate. It can be formed into a permanent shape without heating, avoiding the use of ovens or strip heaters. It is also a shape-memory polymer which will return to its original flat form on application of moderate heat, such as immersion in very hot water. The plastic can be bent by hand or using sheet metal folding equipment, and can be used to create a wide variety of impact-resistant products.
For those familiar with handling acrylic, the material is counter-intuitive since the expectation is that it will fracture. Bending this material makes a great demonstration of a new type of polymer that can be used safely without heat. It also has tremendous potential for creating a wide variety of impact-resistant products.
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