A slime is a children's toy made of jelly-like material. The market offers variants of different colors. This item gained great popularity in the 90s after the film "Ghostbusters", and the toy was named after one of the characters. In the USA, such a toy is called: "slime", which means slime.
Slime - what is it and what does it look like
Recently, slimes in jars have become popular. Manufacturers claim that such a product will arouse children's interest in chemistry and will allow schoolchildren to become familiar with the properties of non-Newtonian fluid. Their viscosity can change.
If you apply a little force, like slowly stirring the mass with your fingers, it will be thin and look like snot or water. If you apply a lot of force, like throwing the slime at a wall, the resistance will be very strong.
It is believed that the early version was invented by an 11-year-old girl. The daughter of the factory owner mixed ingredients present in the workshop, including food thickeners. Many people think that this slime appeared after the movie "Ghostbusters". The first toys were released in green. They resembled the good-natured ghost from the popular comedy.
For reference! At one time, the ninja collection was in great demand. As a result, many fakes appeared on the market.
Customers complained that the product would develop an unpleasant odor over time. It was also very sticky and would leave stains when it came into contact with walls or furniture.
Is slime dangerous - a new hobby for children and teenagers
Many parents do not understand what slime is made of, they want to know if the toy can cause harm. In fact, this item can be made independently. And in stores they sell ready-made kits for making slime.
Unfortunately, YouTube tutorials that explain to children how to make slime with borax do not warn about the dangers of the substances used to make the toy. At the same time, even educated people are often concerned about the composition. For example, borax (one of the main ingredients in most recipes) irritates the skin and eyes and can lead to fertility problems. Accidental ingestion can cause problems with the kidneys, breathing, and liver.
The worst thing is that borax should not be consumed in large quantities, one teaspoon is enough to affect the health of a small child. Experts advise using a little liquid soap and transparent glue instead of such a dangerous substance.
Attention! Slime making should be done by adults. Children can make slime at home only from the age of 12, only under the supervision of their parents.
Pediatricians believe that contact with slime should be stopped immediately if the following symptoms occur:
- cough;
- difficulty breathing;
- the appearance of a rash on the body or arms;
- redness of the eyes;
- contact dermatitis;
- itching;
- allergic rhinitis.
It should be remembered that gelatin and starch are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
Important! When working with glue, you should use protective glasses and gloves. Children should not be allowed to taste the substance.
What is slime made of - chemical composition of slime toys
When looking into the question of what a factory-made slime consists of, it should be said that the composition largely depends on the manufacturer. Most often, the composition includes cellulose, glue, gelatin, and starch.
One of the British companies tested 11 slimes presented on the market, 8 of them contained sodium tetraborate. The substance is used as a thickener. Chemists and doctors do not recommend buying slimes for children that contain sodium tetraborate, it can cause serious health problems.
In production, glue is used, which prevents the jelly-like mass from falling apart. Manufacturers also often use gelatin. In addition, an important component of what the slime is made of is glycerin, the composition may include glitter, artificial snow, small toys.
Important! Information about what the slime is made of can be found on the packaging. If the child has an allergy, then products with paint and fragrances can cause harm to health.
How slimes are made in a factory
Most slime recipes call for vinyl glue, which has two types of linear and thermoplastic polymers (polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol, commonly known as PVA). It's not hard to guess how slimes are made in a factory, but certain nuances depend on the specific manufacturer.
The appearance of the slime depends on the materials used, including gelling agents, coloring agents, fillers, and preservatives. Specially treated deionized water is also used.
Slime is classified as a liquid and is usually made by combining solutions of polyvinyl alcohol and borate ions in a large mixing container. The solution often has an unpleasant odor.
Mixing polymer threads will give a viscous structure, the mucus also contains a crosslinking agent. Such a liquid does not correspond to the laws described by Newton.
For reference! Crosslinkers are ions that help temporarily connect polymer strands with relatively weak ionic bonds. These bonds are strong enough to hold the polymer strands together, but not strong enough to make the mass rigid.
Commercial slime can be made from polyvinyl alcohol, guar gum, or even fortified milk.
Fortunately, many factories pay attention to quality control. The raw materials used to make slime should not irritate the skin or eyes, and the chemical composition should be carefully thought out. In addition, consumers demand that slimes (and similar toys) do not damage things like clothing, upholstery, fabric, or carpeting. Manufacturers are looking for recipes that reduce the harmfulness of the toy.
At large enterprises, the slime formula is developed in a laboratory. Chemists decide what the consistency will be, what color the toy will be and how it will smell. Then a small batch of toys is made for testing. If the specialists are satisfied with the appearance of the slime and its chemical composition, then mass production of such a product is launched.
Options for making slime at home
There are many videos on the Internet about how to make a slime at home. Some ingredients can be dangerous.
It is safe to use glue made from starch and water. The mass should be thoroughly mixed. The child will be interested in learning how to make a slime from shampoo, dye and flour. The recipe requires simple ingredients:
- 50 ml thick shampoo;
- food coloring;
- 30 grams of flour;
- glitter (optional).
Gradually add dye of any color to the shampoo, and then flour. Mix the ingredients with a wooden spatula. It is easy to make a slime at home, it requires a minimum of ingredients.
An anti-stress toy can also be made from glue and shaving foam. Old or unnecessary dishes can be used as a mixing container. To make slime, you need:
- 100 ml PVA glue;
- 2-3 drops of liquid egg dye;
- shaving foam.
All the glue should be poured into the container. Gradually add a little shaving foam and mix thoroughly. It is best to use a wooden spatula.
All ingredients cost no more than 500 rubles. You should add shaving foam until the mass thickens. Pour in the egg dye, and then mix again.
Slimes have become very popular. Before buying such a toy, you should definitely read the composition. If the child is small or suffers from allergies, it is better to make a slime at home from safe components.
