Heat treating plastic
Similar to annealing, when heat is applied to acrylic it becomes more malleable and can be shaped easily. However unlike metal it cools and hardens very quickly and will need to be re heated.
Common problems with heating plastic;
- As with heating some metals it important not to over heat plastic.
- Cools very quickly so bending/shaping needs to be done quickly
- Produces fumes when melted
- shaping can often make the material weaker