How can I keep hydrated methyl cellulose (methylcellulose) from setting into a rubbery semi-solid — instead preserving its earlier, softer, paste-like consistency?
Hi, I am trying to develop a home-made .999 silver clay by using methyl celllulose as binder (together with silver powder and distilled water). Early hours of working with this binder are great: The methylcellulose has a workable, soft, plastic, clay-like consistency. After some hours, however, the methyl cellulose “sets” into a rubber-like semi-solid, losing its helpful binder-like qualities: The methylcellulose becomes a rubbery brick of silver – not true metal “clay.” This semi-solid transformation occurs both when it is exposed to air AND when it is kept carefully/massively hydrated; so the issue here is definitely not evaporation. There is some kind of “setting” going on.
I would like to continue to use methyl cellulose as binder, but I need it to retain its early-stage, soft, paste-like, clay-like properties. Has anyone successfully used methylcellulose as a silver clay binder long-term, avoiding its “setting” into a rubbery semi-solid? Thanks.