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Hi all,
I'm currently doing some research about Paper Mache materials suitable for industrial use. I wanted to find out if there is a suitable material to make various huge shapes to hold objects and to be stepped on in an exhibition space.
I'm not very familiar with this area at all, and from what I have researched so far there seems to be Carton-pierre, Cellulose Fibre and Vulcanised Fibre (Electrical Hard Fibre?).
Is carton-pierre suitable to be made into a huge form (I read somewhere that you can make a roof out of it? or only small ornaments?), and is it strong enough to be stepped on?
What exactly are Cellulose Fibre and Vulcanised Fibre? Would they be suitable for my purpose?
Would there be any other paper fibre based materials for industrial use?
So sorry for so many questions but please help me out!
Thank you!
Best regards,
Rina
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Cellulose fibre is just the raw material for paper, or paper recycled back to its nearly-original form.
I think the vulcanized fibre is the cotton-fibre/epoxy material that electrical circuit boards are built on, as the material doesn't conduct electricity. I have seen a thinner material that is formed into gaskets, but I don't know if it is exactly the same material.
From Google: "Carton-pierre, French for 'stone carton', is a term used for papier mâché decorated to resemble stone, wood, or metal, and used as ornamentation." [Wikipedia] This sounds just like regular papier mache, to me.
It MAY be possible to do what you want, but the logistics would probably increase the costs (and probably the liability). While I like to see all kinds of things made from PM, and I think PM would be suitable for holding many inanimate objects, I don't think it would be safe for many uses where people walk, stand or jump on them. People are stupid beyond belief, and you simply can't trust them to walk quietly from Point A to Point B without hurting themselves or someone else.
IMPO, the material that you would probably want to work with is either fiberglass and resin, or a wooden structure, or a combination of the two.
Sue
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In general, paper (whether as laminate or as mash) is not what you need. The worst problem would be of drying. Also the length of time needed to build up sufficient thickness for strength.
In the old days there was a process of laminating, impregnating with linseed oil and heat pressing. This produced a very strong, fairly waterproof board that was used in construction. There are records of buildings made by this method lasting several decades.
DavidO
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David is correct about the pressure laminating. They made furniture out of it that can still be found today. It could be carved almost like wood. But these were made in factories, with machines and methods that probably long gone.
Sue
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Thank you so much for your help, everyone!
Yes, I think that in this era, it is easier to work with resin and fibreglass materials to do what I want to do. It's just that I wanted to work with more environmentally friendly materials than fibreglass... I couldn't find any more info on pressure laminating which is applicable today commercially, so I'm hoping that I will get more info about Carton-pierre, because I found out that Carton-pierre can be used to make white decorated ceilings (the ceilings of old european houses which look like plaster or stone?). I don't know yet, but I just hope it's strong enough!
Rina
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""I wanted to find out if there is a suitable material to make various huge shapes to hold objects and to be stepped on in an exhibition space.""
Rina, depending on the application you maybe be able to use polystyrene and laminate or coat this. We have done this in the past for exhibition & point of sale props as it is relatively lightweight and easy to create large forms.
If you need any information please PM me and I can send you further details. I don't want to offend the mods by overtly publicising the business.
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About your floor material, on a HGTV program like Weekend Warriors or Look What I Did or ?, a woman who loved PM made faux cobblestones for her bathroom floor and other surfaces. At the time, I wondered about the extreme moisture problem and remember she sealed them. A search through HGTV program episodes or word might turn up what you seek.
This general covering idea is, in fact, why I want to mix gigantic batches using most paper I can gather for flat-fill 12 inch square tile molds for my husband's office area over concrete floor in his workshop to stop sucking up the heat.. The 4X8 sawdust board I have in my workshop is very good, but, added a good portion to the cost, and, PM recycling would be Greener!
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