Worbla's Crystal Art is a transparent thermoplastic presented in reusable micro-pellets that activates at 110 °C. Once heated, the material is fully hand-mouldable, hardens without shrinkage and retains its natural transparency, making it a very precise option for finished parts in cosplay, special effects and scenography. It accepts direct bulk pigmentation and can be reused indefinitely.
Technical specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Format |
Micro-pellets |
| Activation temperature |
110 °C |
| Hardening time |
~10 minutes |
| Shrinkage |
No shrinkage |
| Solvents |
None |
| Final appearance |
Transparent |
| Reusable |
Yes, indefinitely |
| Compatible with acrylic pigments |
Yes, in malleable state |
What it is used for
Worbla's Crystal Art is designed to create parts with high dimensional precision and a clean finish. Its transparency and lack of shrinkage make it especially useful when shape fidelity is critical. It also accepts direct pigmentation by mixing acrylic pigments while in the malleable state, allowing solid or translucent colours to be achieved without the need for subsequent painting.
- Fabrication of prosthetics and parts for special effects (FX) make-up
- Accessories, armours and props for cosplay
- Transparent decorative elements for scenography and props
- Replicas and finished parts over silicone or rigid plastic moulds
- Prototypes and models where transparency or translucency is required
- Artistic creations with a coloured finish, incorporating acrylic pigment in bulk
- Fills, inlays and details on parts made from Worbla's Finest Art or other thermoplastics
How to use it
- Measure out the quantity of micro-pellets needed for the part you are making. Always start with slightly more than the desired final volume.
- Heat the micro-pellets by submerging them in water at 110 °C or using a heat gun. Within a few seconds the material becomes translucent and fully malleable.
- Remove the hot material with a spatula or with your hands (use heat-resistant gloves) and knead it into a homogeneous mass free of bubbles.
- If you want to colour the part, incorporate a small amount of acrylic pigment at this point and knead until a uniform colour is achieved.
- Mould the mass over the negative or directly by hand, applying even pressure to reproduce all the details of the model.
- Allow to cool at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes. The material will harden without shrinkage or distortion.
- If you need to correct any area, heat only that section and re-shape. The material is fully reusable.
Tips and tricks
Temperature control
For even heating, the hot water bath is the most reliable method: the micro-pellets soften uniformly with no risk of burning localised spots. If you use a heat gun, move the nozzle in circles and maintain a minimum distance of 10 cm to avoid overheated zones that could yellow the material.
Pigmentation and finishing
Add the acrylic pigment in small doses while the material is at its optimal point of malleability (just removed from the hot water). Knead quickly: as the material cools it loses plasticity. For translucent finishes, use a very small amount of pigment. For opaque or saturated colours you will need a higher proportion and several rounds of kneading. Once hardened, the surface also accepts acrylic paint applied with a brush.
Reuse and storage
Worbla's Crystal Art can be heated and re-shaped as many times as needed without loss of properties. If the part has already been painted with acrylic and you want to reuse the base material, remove the surface paint layer before re-melting to avoid including residue in the mass. Store unused micro-pellets in an airtight container away from heat sources.
Frequently asked questions
At what temperature does this thermoplastic activate?
Worbla's Crystal Art activates at 110 °C. You can reach that temperature by submerging it in hot water or with a heat gun. As soon as the micro-pellets become translucent and stick together, the material is ready to mould.
Can it be used without a mould, modelling directly by hand?
Yes. Once heated, Worbla's Crystal Art has a putty-like consistency and can be worked directly with your fingers (wearing heat-resistant gloves) or with spatulas. You do not need a mould to make parts: you can sculpt, stretch and texture freely while the material is hot.
How long do you have to work the material before it hardens?
Working time depends on ambient temperature and part thickness, but under normal conditions you have several minutes before the material starts to lose plasticity. If you need more time, apply localised heat with a heat gun to re-soften the area you want to continue working.
Can the material be coloured?
Yes. While Worbla's Crystal Art is in its malleable state, you can incorporate acrylic pigment in bulk and knead until a uniform colour is achieved. You can also paint it with acrylics once hardened. For translucent effects, use a very small amount of pigment.
Does it shrink on cooling?
No. Worbla's Crystal Art hardens without shrinkage, guaranteeing that the final part retains exactly the dimensions and detail of the mould or hand modelling. This sets it apart from many resins and casting materials that do exhibit some shrinkage.
Can leftover material be reused?
Yes, indefinitely. Simply reheat the scraps or the complete part to restore the material's plasticity. It does not lose mechanical properties or transparency through heating cycles, provided the recommended temperature is not exceeded and the scraps are not contaminated with other materials.
What is the difference compared to other sheet thermoplastics?
The micro-pellet format allows you to dose exactly the quantity needed and makes it easy to incorporate pigments in bulk homogeneously. In addition, the natural transparency of the material makes it ideal for parts where a glassy or translucent finish is desired — something that opaque thermoplastics such as Worbla's Finest Art cannot offer.
Does it need a release agent when working over silicone moulds?
Silicone moulds are naturally non-stick, so in most cases no release agent is needed. On other substrates (rigid plastic, resin, plaster) it is advisable to apply a layer of release agent or wax before pouring the hot material, to facilitate demoulding without damaging the part.
