Making Erasers

Making stuff is one of the most important roles science plays in our everyday life. Kids can see the creative nature of science by making things too. In today's spot we made erasers. This experiment takes some time (mostly for the erasers to dry) but it is a good one for starting some science project like experiments as well. This experiment uses molding rubber (Pliatex) the same stuff we used to make rubber bands last year.

Safety concerns

The main concern is to make sure that neither the vinegar nor the Pliatex splash into your eyes. Wearing safety glasses is a good way to be safe.

What you will need.

  • Pliatex Mold Rubber (available at art supply stores)
  • Vinegar
  • A variety of gritty materials can be helpful...
  • sand
  • flour
  • talcum powder
  • table salt

Procedure

  1. Mix equal parts of the Pliatex and water. (on TV we used 20 milliliters of each)
  2. In a separate container put at least one part of vinegar (a little more doesn't hurt)
  3. If you want to make better erasers, take some gritty material like sand and mix it into the water/Pliatex mixture.
  4. Slowly pour the Pliatex mixture into the vinegar. Stir it as you pour.
  5. After the whole Pliatex mixture has been reacted with the vinegar (by pouring them together) take the chunk of rubber out and put it in a pan with water. In the pan you can try to shape the eraser, though you won't be able to make very fine shapes at this point.
  6. Make sure you squeeze out any bubbles you can while you have it under the water.
  7. Take it out of the water and let it dry. It may take a few hours to be dry enough to use as an eraser.

Experiment Ideas

There are a lot of things you can adjust in this recipe to see if you can make better erasers. Try different types of gritty materials. Try different amounts of gritty materials. Try anything your imagination suggests. If it doesn't work, send me an email and tell me what you did, I'll try to help suggest ways to obtain better results!

Links about Erasers.

Pencil Erasers - A nice link to show how pencil erasers are made.

Eraser Carving - On-line galleries for an unusual art form

How to do eraser carving - use ordinary erasers in extravagant art projects!

Trivia Question - How many particles are in a pencil eraser?