Testing Kato polymer clay to the recommended temperature.

In my previous test to all types of clay, I've already increased the baking temperature to plus ten degree Celsius more that the manufacturer recommended temperature for many types of polymer clay such as Sculpey 130º C, Cernit, 130º C, Filani 130º C, Pardo 130º C and as for Fimo from 110º C to 140º C.Since, Kato Clay is not commonly used in Singapore, the recommended baking temperature is 150º C, I had a request from Gillian Wiseman, after posting my test in (clay-Polymer)

"Garie,

It would be nice if you would also test Kato clay at the recommended baking temperature, rather than at the standard temp for the rest of the clays, which means it is undercured in your tests.

Gillian"


Here is the test on Kato baking at the temperature 150ºC, thickness is 6mm in diameter.

To achieve a constant temperature
of 150º C, I rely on my oven
thermometer and baked the
clay for 30 minutes

The baked clay is silky smooth like plastic.

Comparing unbaked to the baked Kato at
150ºC the color changed slightly at
140º C and at 150ºC the clay is darker.

Bending the 6 mm thick, Kato clay is
 harder to bend than Fimo, Sculpey,
Filani and Pardo.

The clay can be bend as compared
the 140º C which is brittle and break
Temperature, its is a tough clay to
bend, after about 7 times bending,
 there's some cracks on the surface
of the baked clay.

Gillian is right, that it is 'undercured'
which will mean changed to darker
color.
Basically, if you are going to make
the clay tough it should be 150ºC,
but if you are going to combine Kato
and other types of polymer clay then
the safest will be 140º C to avoid
color changes, as higher
temperature will also affect other
brands of polymer clay.

I am happy that she commented on
the post, which prompted me to
further the test on Kato Polymer
Clay

" Thanks, Garie; you do such a good job with your tests. 
It really is important info that we all need to know.

Gillian"
October 8, 2013 PM 09:45:47 GMT+08:00