TK4205 Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 In my search for the perfect stormtrooper plastic, I have come across some interesting pollymer that promises to the next best thing in TK armor. Unlike Styrene (HIPS) and ABS, Elastoplastic compositions of ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber and polyolefin resin have a very long life and are durable under much wear and tear. Elastoplastic compositions are blends of cross-linked ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) rubber and thermoplastic polyolefin resin. I found a modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin designed as sealing layer for lidding and pouch in construction applications. It's available in pellet form for use in coextrusion equipment designed to process polyethylene resins into blown or cast films. It's not 'pulled' like conventional plastics. My first expriment is making a TK belt that is durable, flexible, yet rigid. It was a trick finding the right composition in rubber and thermoplastic polyolefin to get the right color ant texture of the TK look. You can't tear this stuff with your hands. It holds its shape very well. With exelent memory, you can crumple it up and it wili go back to its original shape. I could make an entire set of armor out of this stuff. Stay tuned. More to come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daetrin[Admin] Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 What a great find! It's been many a year since organic chem, but I think I get the gist of it. I think the memory properties are pretty intriguing. It would certainly make it easier to sit in your armor without having to cut the cod or worry about cracking the butt plate (ask me how I know). I'm curious especially to see how a chest/back would turn out. My initial thought is that something flexible for an ab plate or shin might not be rigid enough for the chest (of course you could always have to mixtures, one for each type of rigidity needed). Or do you think that under normal circumstances it will maintain enough rigidity for a piece that's not supposed to really flex like the chest? What you're doing is very compelling - the ABS suits are not known for lots of flexibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK4205 Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 I can make this stuff as rigid as I want in the cohesion process. I can't shout enough about this stuff. I haven't slept in three days I'm so excited. I've been dancing around the house with my part that I made. Playing with it and getting acustom to its properties. It's virtualy indestructable for the intended aplication. Oh, and I forgot to mention, It's 1/3 lighter than styrene. After making various small parts I'm thinking of doing a bucket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daetrin[Admin] Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Whoa man - get some sleep! Helmet is a good idea - at long last you can retire that FX ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butah Fett Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Wow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boozel Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 my thoughts exactly... Wow.. keep us updated Boozel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopermaster Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Very interesting So how do you make the stuff?Is it a case of mixing it up and laying it into a mould?Do you need any special equipment to use this stuff? I've been searching/testing different plastics too but for vacuum forming.If this resin can be made to different hardness' then I think you might be onto a winner! Now,where do I get it from -Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK4205 Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 This stuff needs to be pressed out, unlike pulling or injection, so you need a positive and negative mold. This particular EVA needs to be cooked. Cooking time dictates its hardness when cool. As far as what the stuff is, I've already gone over. How I get my finished product is a secret family recipe. I'm in the doghouse over this one. I spent $900 last week experimenting, and my wife's kitchen is a disaster area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK4205 Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 (edited) Troopermaster, If you are doing pulls. try here: -------They have the best prices I've found so far. Edited December 6, 2020 by gmrhodes13 link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-2833[501st] Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Be sure to keep us up to date! I'm sure quite a few of us would like a few 'stunt' pieces that flex a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD2802[501st] Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 Wyatt, you should've been at Shepperton back in '76 doing this to save us from a lot of grief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK4205 Posted November 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 Man, I only wish. Course they did wonders with what they had back in the day. Plastics have come a long way since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-4224[501st] Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 if we could pull armor with this material and it gets enough sharpnes... wohoooo i think that could be the right material for me wanna do some acrobatic in my armor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darksaber212[TK] Posted January 5, 2007 Report Share Posted January 5, 2007 Wow, that looks really impressive. Looking forward to more progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-2126_MD[TK] Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Hello, just poping a note to see if you have been able to play around with the resiin some more??? Any new updates ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK4205 Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 We are in the middle of moving, so most of my projects are in temporarily on hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8280 Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 We are in the middle of moving, so most of my projects are in temporarily on hold. I hope your move go's smoothly...I can't wait to see what your finished products look like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby fletcher Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 That is impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK4205 Posted March 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Just as soon as I'm in my new shop:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAndyman[TK] Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I can't shout enough about this stuff. I haven't slept in three days I'm so excited. Are you sure your work area is well ventilated? J/K. It sounds like a great idea and a noble pursuit, how is this material in terms of workability? Does it cut and sand well for mods? And what about painting bonding issues, will this stuff hold epoxy enamel based paints? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK4205 Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 This stuff is assentialy naga hide. Doesn't paint very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john danter Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Hey dude. Cool plastic! Would you be up for sending a few sheets of this. 18" x 10" to the UK for me please? For a small fee of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK4205 Posted March 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 Sorry trooper, but no can do at this time. We are moving, and most of my stuff is in storage. BTW, when I get my moulds done I'm trying for a whole kit out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-2126_MD[TK] Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Take your time.... even thou most of us are holding our breaths, in regards to any and all updates. Like any thing that takes time, it becomes sweeter once you get it. dont remember the last time i looked foward for something with so much eenthusiasum!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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