Blu Tack is a versatile, reusable putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Putty is a generic term for a plastic material similar in texture to Clay or Dough typically used in domestic construction and repair as a sealant or filler Pressure sensitive adhesive ( PSA, self adhesive, self stick adhesive) is Adhesive that forms a bond when Pressure is applied to marry The original version of the product was blue, but many colours are now available. It is based on a formulation consisting of synthetic rubber, polymers, oil, and inorganic fillers. A polymer is a large Molecule ( Macromolecule) composed of repeating Structural units typically connected by Covalent Chemical bonds
Common uses are to:
- Hold up posters
- Hold telephones, mouse mats and other small items in place
- Hold screws to screw drivers, model parts in position for painting or gluing
- Keep picture frames level
- Clean fluff from fabric and dirt from hard to get at places, such as computer keyboards
- Use in the manner of an eraser. An eraser or rubber is an article of Stationery that is used for removing Pencil and sometimes Pen writings
Blu Tack can leave an oily stain on paper materials if attached for a long period of time.
History
The substance was invented by Austin Carpenter (1921 - ) in 1971 in England during development of an industrial adhesive by Bostik, and was prompted by his wife (a teacher) for a glue that could easily stick posters to walls and be removed again without leaving marks. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Glue or adhesive is a compound that adheres or bonds two items together Bostik (formerly Bostik-Findley is a world-wide operating Adhesive company a Subsidiary of French mineral oil company Total S
Laboratory Researcher Alan Holloway, working for Sealant Manufacturer Ralli Bondite of Waterlooville Hampshire, had in 1970 inadvertently produced a product that was useless as a sealant, but pliable and semi-elastic. This novelty product was demonstrated by Ralli Bondite management to visiting executives from another sealant and adhesive manufacturer, as a means of wall mounting notices. There was no need for secrecy about the formula, as it was of no use for a gun-grade mastic, the main product of Ralli Bondite. In the beginning the potential of this material was not fully recognized, until later when Bostik did commence research into the development of what they were eventually to launch as Blu Tack. In its conceptual stage the product was white, but was coloured blue in response to concerns received from marketing research regarding the possibility of children mistaking it for edible candy. Marketing research or market research is a form of business research and is generally divided into two categories consumer market research and business-to-business (B2B market research which Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water to which a variety of flavorings and colorants is added [1]
Similar products from other manufacturers include "Buddies" (coloured pink), "Pritt-Tack", "Tac 'N Stick" and "Sticky Tack". "White Tack", made by the German company UHU, is similar but, as the name suggests, is white in colour, so coloured so that it doesn't show through easily on posters as Blu Tack does. UHU GmbH & Co KG is a manufacturer of Adhesive products based in Bühl, Germany.
Blu Tack is also used for sculpture. Artist Elizabeth Thompson created a giant 200 kilogram sculpture of a spider using Blu-Tack over a wire frame. It took 4000 packs and was exhibited at London Zoo in 2007. Other serious artists have created works from the material, and there is a large international body of keen users of Blu-Tack who create minor art works and stop-motion animation. The British web site takes a keen interest in these activities and has a section devoted to them. [2]
In the UK in March 2008, Blu-Tack (again, see UK web site) changed colour for the first time since 1971 - to pink - to help raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located 200,000 numbered packs were made available, 10p from each pack going to the charity. The formulation was slightly altered to retain complete consistency with its blue counterpart. The traditional blue colour returned in April.
Blu Tack is known as "Zorkai" in north eastern areas of Canada. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page In South Africa it is commonly known as "Prestik" (as made by Bostik), or "Sticky Stuff" (as made by Pritt). The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa
External links
References
- ^ Blu Tack and how it is made. Frequently Asked Questions. Bostik Australia (2005). Retrieved on 2006-01-10. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war.
- ^ Official Blu-Tack Site UK
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