Flubber (material)

Flubber (named from the film The Absent-Minded Professor), Glorp, Glurch, or Slime is a rubbery polymer formed by cross-linking of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a borate compound. Slime can be made by combining polyvinyl-acetate-based adhesives with borax. [1]

For the 1997 film, see Flubber (film).
Flubber polymer with green food coloring added. The polymer is normally colorless.

Reaction

The gelation process entails formation of a borate ester that cross links the chains of the PVA.[2] Borate esters form readily by condensation of hydroxyl groups and the B-OH groups.[3]

The individual polymer chains are bound together by weak hydrogen bonds. The resulting polymer network is composed of strands of polyvinyl alcohol held together side-by-side by the borate molecules. It is evident that this cross linking is weak because of the ease with which the slime flows and pulls apart. However, even though this cross linking is weak, it does alter the properties of the resulting polymer.[4]

Structure for borate ester that comprises crosslinking in "slime".

Properties

Flubber is a non-Newtonian fluid that flows under low stress, but breaks under higher stresses and pressures. This combination of fluid-like and solid-like properties makes it a Maxwell fluid. Its behavior can also be described as being viscoplastic or gelatinous.

See also

References
  1. University, Carnegie Mellon. "Polyvinyl Alcohol Slime - Gelfand Center - Carnegie Mellon University". www.cmu.edu. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  2. Cassassa, E. Z.; A. M. Sarquis; C. H. Van Dyke (January 1986). "The Gelation of Polyvinyl Alcohol with Borax". Journal of Chemical Education. 63 (1): 57. doi:10.1021/ed063p57. S2CID 94114885.
  3. Katoa, Y.; K. Suwaa; S. Yokoyamab; T. Yabeb; H. Ikutaa; Y. Uchimotoa; M. Wakihara (December 2002). "Thermally stable solid polymer electrolyte containing borate ester groups for lithium secondary battery". Solid State Ionics. 152–153: 155–159. doi:10.1016/s0167-2738(02)00370-3.
  4. University, Carnegie Mellon. "Polyvinyl Alcohol Slime - Gelfand Center - Carnegie Mellon University". www.cmu.edu. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
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