Over the summer I created a lot of different crystal samples. I was experimenting with different substances such as alum, Borax, baking soda, table salt and vinegar, and copper sulfate. From these experiments and lots of research I figured out how each crystal type behaves in multiple scenarios. Now, I've gotten to the point where I need to do some crystal growing tests that are more specific to the full scale piece I am working on. This set of experiments is to determine what is the best way to resist the crystals from growing on one side of the balsa wood.
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| samples prepped and ready to go |
I tested four different ways to resist crystal growth: epoxy, wax, cooking spray, and adhesive backed vinyl. I also dyed several of the test pieces different colors. Once I had all the pieces prepped and labeled I started making the crystal solution.
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| crystal growing supplies |
The crystals I am growing are alum based. All you need is a glass container, spoon, boiling water, and lots of alum. Alum is also used as a pickling salt and in the process of dying wool and silk.
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| alum mixture |
Once the water is boiling, I poured one cup into my glass container and stirred in about 3/8 of a cup of alum. This amount should create an over-saturated solution. When alum will no longer dissolve in the water then you're done!
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| filtering out impurities |
I like to run the solution through a coffee filter before placing the balsa wood in it. This ensures that I won't have any debris in the solution. This is an important step because any extra bits in the solution will start growing crystals and this will draw crystals away from the main piece.
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| almost done |
After filtering the solution into all the cups, I placed the balsa wood face side down. I've had to do it this way because the balsa wood floats. I think I would actually get better results if I could come up with a way to get the balsa to sink to the bottom and keep the crystal growing side up. I hope to figure out a solution to this problem in time to do my final piece.
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| closeup of the growing action |
After just a few short hours crystals have already started to form! It is pretty amazing how quickly this happens.
I ended up keeping the wood in the solution for about 20 hours. All the different resists worked, some better than others. The epoxy caused the wood to bow dramatically since it could only expand and contract on one side while in the water, so that's out! The wax did a good job, but then I would have to scrap it all off before I could glue it down, out! The cooking spray didn't have a single crystal grow on it, but I am worried about it not adhering with glue, soo maybe not good. The vinyl seems to be the winner! It resisted the crystals and it's easy to remove.
