PMC (Precious Metal Clay) and Art Clay Silver (ACS) are new materials on the art/craft scene. PMC and Art Clay Silver come in pure silver and 24K gold.
These clays are mixtures of very small metal particles with an organic binder and water. The clays are elastic and are similar in texture to modeling clay. They can be molded, coiled, stamped and – in an air dry state – can be drilled, carved and engraved. There are few limits on the uses of these clays.
Briefly, creating with metal clay is as follows: the object is formed using the moist clay, all the moisture is then removed by using either an electric heat source or allowed to air dry. Next, the object is fired in a kiln or exposed to another source of high heat, like a torch, at a range of temperatures (depending on the type of clay) generally between 1200 degrees F to 1650 F.
Firing causes the piece to shrink and the resulting shrinkage needs to be accounted for in the design. Shrinkage rates vary from 8% to 30% depending on the type of clay. Firing sinters* the metal, burns away the binder and leaves behind pure metal.
To learn more about PMC please visit the PMC Guild . For Art Clay Silver see their site here: Art Clay World USA .
Shopping for Clay
You can find PMC, Art Clay Silver at: Whole Lotta Whimsey, Cool Tools, Metal Clay Supply and Rio Grande, to name a few of my favorites.
Videos
PMC Videos/Art Clay Silver Videos: Discover Art Clay Silver!
* Sintering: a material is heated below its melting point until the particles adhere to one another.