Material Thinking:
lectrical Wire
Heat Treating and Melting Wires into Different Shapes
This experiment explored whether electrical wires could be heat-treated into patterned, conductive, and durable materials. The results were promising, as the melted casings created interesting visual patterns and a strong final material. However, a major challenge was getting the wires to lay flat before melting.
Using the heat press and heat gun, I melted the casings of wires into loose weaves and other shapes. While the final material was durable and visually striking, the wires tended to retain their original curvature, making it difficult to achieve perfectly flat results.
This experiment demonstrated that heat-treated wire casings have potential for creating unique materials. Future tests could involve attempting to create circuits within the melted plastic or forming specific patterns such as letters within the material.