Polymorph is not a shapeshifting parrot!

Martin showed us some 'Polymorph' today. Its properties sounded very much like PLA bioplastic that I have been studying up on for studio at the moment. So I looked into it some more. 

This is what I found

• "Polymorph" is also known as Polycaprolactone
• As far as I can tell the chemical composition is vaguely similar to PolyLactic Acid once heat is introduced
• The main difference is that PCL is petrochemical based and PLA is agrichemical based(I hope that's a word, if not I stake my claim!)
• There are some instructables for its use here and here
• You can buy it at Jaycar and surplustronics

The stuff sounds cool, and Jaycar is just across the road from work.

Comments

[Martin]

Good spotting Carey. Bit of a worry about the price. NIck Gill paid 15 quid for a kilo. That's about $35. Jaycar selling 1kg at $100+

[Carey Milicich]

Cheers Martin. I had a look to see what 100gms was volume wise, and WOW it is expensive. Thats rump for Wagu prices!

[Roger Bateman]

I understand Plymorph is a trade name hence its chemical name is Polycaprolactone not Polymorph (could be wrong)
Yes a bio degradable petrochemical based plastic means it is in no way connected to PLA. As it is degradeable in the human body I wonder what the effects on the body might be. It says FDA approved etc but it sounds rather odd. Anyway Carey, how the research into bioplastics going and let me know if you need any help.
Cheers
Roger.