Why does plasticine become hard?
Plasticine is one of children's favorite toys, but many people find that plasticine becomes hard after being stored for a long time, and may even become unusable. So, why does plasticine harden? This article will analyze from three aspects: material composition, environmental factors and preservation methods, and attaches the hot topic data of the entire network in the past 10 days for reference.
1. Reasons why plasticine becomes hard

The main ingredients of plasticine include polymers, fillers, plasticizers and moisture. Here are a few key factors that cause plasticine to become hard:
| factors | specific reasons |
|---|---|
| water evaporates | Moisture in the plasticine is key to keeping it soft, and prolonged exposure to air will cause moisture to escape, causing it to harden. |
| Plasticizer failure | Plasticizers are the ingredients that make play dough elastic and may evaporate or break down over time. |
| oxidation reaction | The polymers in the plasticine may react with oxygen in the air, causing the material to harden. |
| temperature change | High temperatures will accelerate water evaporation and plasticizer volatilization, while low temperatures may cause the plasticine to become brittle. |
2. How to prevent plasticine from hardening
In order to extend the service life of plasticine, you can take the following measures:
| method | Specific operations |
|---|---|
| Keep sealed | Place the plasticine into a sealed bag or container immediately after use to reduce contact with air. |
| add moisture | If the playdough starts to harden, add a few drops of water and rub it in to restore softness. |
| avoid high temperatures | Store play dough in a cool place away from direct sunlight or high temperature environments. |
| Use regularly | Kneading the clay frequently will slow down the hardening of the clay. |
3. Hot topic data on the entire network in the past 10 days
The following are hotly discussed topics on the Internet recently, which may be related to the reasons or solutions for the hardening of plasticine:
| hot topics | heat index | Related discussions |
|---|---|---|
| DIY plasticine tutorial | 85 | Netizens share recipes and preservation tips for homemade plasticine. |
| Children's Toy Safety | 78 | Discuss the material safety of toys such as play dough. |
| Eco-Friendly Toy Trends | 72 | Biodegradable plasticine has become the focus of parents' attention. |
| science experiment | 65 | The chemical properties of plasticine have become popular science content. |
4. Scientific explanation of the hardening of plasticine
From a scientific point of view, the hardening of plasticine is a process of physical and chemical changes. As the polymer chains lose plasticizer and moisture, they gradually lose fluidity, causing the material to become stiffer. In addition, dust and impurities in the air may also adhere to the surface of the plasticine and accelerate its hardening.
5. Alternatives to plasticine
If the play dough has hardened beyond recovery, consider the following alternatives:
| Substitute | Advantages |
|---|---|
| Homemade plasticine | The cost is low and the softness and hardness can be adjusted at any time. |
| ultra light clay | Not easy to harden, suitable for long-term storage. |
| Silica gel | Good elasticity and high durability. |
Summary
The hardening of plasticine is mainly due to water evaporation, plasticizer failure and oxidation reactions. By sealing, adding moisture, and avoiding high temperatures, you can effectively slow down the hardening of plasticine. At the same time, paying attention to hot topics and scientific experiments can also help us better understand and solve this problem.
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