Blu Tack is a reusable plasticine-like adhesive mass manufactured by Bostik used to fix light objects (such as posters or sheets of paper) to walls, doors and other dry surfaces. Usually blue, but there are masses of other colors. Similar products are also manufactured by other manufacturers. The name is now used without a dash between words. [one]
The composition of the mass is a commercial secret of the company, but is described as synthetic rubber without hazardous properties under normal conditions. The mass can even be swallowed without any harmful effects [2] and not carcinogenic. It is insoluble and heavier than water. The material is not combustible, but emits carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide if burned in a flame. [3]
In 2015, Bostik produced 100 tons of Blu Tack per week at its plant in Leicester . [four]
Content
History
Blu Tack was invented by chance in 1969, as an unexpected result of trying to create a new sealant from a mixture of chalk, rubber and oil. [5] The name of the inventor is unknown. [5] Blu Tack was originally white, but consumer research showed buyers fear that the mass could be tangled with children with chewing gum , so a blue dye was added. [four]
In the UK in March 2008, 20,000 packs of pink Blu Tack were made to raise funds for the breast cancer fund, [6] 10 pence of each price was transferred to the fund. The mass formulation was slightly modified to match its blue prototype. Later, masses of other colors were produced, including red, yellow, white, and even green in the packaging dedicated to the Halloween holiday.
Analogs
Similar products of different colors are produced by other manufacturers, for example, the masses “Tack-it” from Faber-Castell , “Fun-Tak” from Henkel , “Poster Putty” from UHU , “Poster Putty” and “Sticky Tack”, “Gummy Sticker” by Pritt , Bostik 's Sticky Stuff, Prestik , and Elmer's Poster Tack.
Versions from other manufacturers are sold under the common name "adhesive mass". Brand name may vary in different countries. For example "Patafix" in France, Italy and Portugal , Kennaratyggjó ("teacher's chewing gum") in Iceland, and Häftmassa ("attachment mass") or kludd in Sweden.
Other uses
Like many other masses for mounting posters, Blu Tack can be used as an alternative to the eraser-klyachke , possessing excellent adhesion and plasticity. As well as the eraser-klyachka , the mass can be stretched and formed to work with very small areas of the image. [7]
Some modellers use Blu Tack for drawing camouflage - the pieces of the mass are easily molded and removed without damaging the fresh paint under them. [eight]
Blu Tack is also used in sculpture . In 2007, the artist Elizabeth Thompson created a 200-pound sculpture of a domestic spider, clinging to a Blu Tack wire frame. It took about 4,000 packs of mass, the sculpture was exhibited at the London Zoo . [9] Other artists created works from material, including frame-by-frame animation. [ten]
Blu Tack can be used as a damper ( sound absorber ) when working with audio equipment. [eleven]
A small piece of Blu Tack can be used to hold a screw on a screwdriver or a bit of a tool. [12]
Blu Tack can also be used to clean the earplugs, by gently pressing and removing dirt from the earpiece mesh. [12]
Blu Tack can be used as an alternative to earplugs for isolation from interfering sounds. [13]
See also
- Glue stick
Sources
- ↑ http://www.ikodesign.co.uk Bostik Blu Tack - A re-usable adhesive (English) (inaccessible link) . www.bostik.co.uk . The date of circulation is June 17, 2017. Archived July 11, 2017.
- ↑ Welcome to Blu Tack.com - FAQ . The appeal date is October 14, 2016. Archived April 18, 2010.
- ↑ Safety Data Sheet Bostik Blu Tack (not available link) . The date of circulation is December 2, 2014. Archived May 9, 2015.
- ↑ 1 2 Ward, James. Adventures in Stationery . - paperback. - Profile Books, 2015. - P. 213. - ISBN 978 1 84668 616 0 .
- ↑ 1 2 Ward, James. Adventures in Stationery . - paperback. - Profile Books, 2015. - p. 213-214. - ISBN 978 1 84668 616 0 . (Stately on the internet suggesting that it was invented 2007, since removed).
- ↑ Daily Express | UK News :: Blu Tack goes pink for charity . Express.co.uk (March 4, 2008). The appeal date is July 28, 2009.
- ↑ BluTack Website. How to use Blu Tack . The date of circulation is February 23, 2015. Archived February 15, 2015.
- ↑ How do you do the blu-tac cammo technique? Britmodeller.com .
- ↑ tulpastudios Elizabeth Thompson + Add Contact. Elizabeth Thompson Blu Tack Spider | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Flickr The appeal date is January 31, 2012.
- ↑ JessKattDesign, conceptart.org. My stop motion animations - Blu Tack Dog .
- ↑ The Sound of Surprise (the loudspeaker / stand interface) . Stereophile.com .
- ↑ 1 2 BluTack Website. How to use Blu Tack . Circulation date March 3, 2016. Archived March 4, 2016.
- ↑ Is it a blu-tack? | The Journal of Laryngology & Otology | Cambridge Core