This video was inspired by an Unbox therapy video where Lou was featuring a phone case that had polymer gel in the corners to act as a shock absorber.
I recognised the behaviour as similar to that of the common slime project based on PVA glue and borax, and since I had the materials on hand I decided to make some and test it.
Note that I don't actually recommend hitting your hand with a hammer whether you have a protective gel there or not.
The characteristic that matters here is that the gel is non-Newtonian. Is has a very odd characteristic that it will flow like liquid, but immediately go solid when compressed and even crack.
It has a very long history as a kids toy and there are thousands of videos about it on the 'net. This is one of very few that involve a hammer though.
You can buy the materials needed to make this from eBay and other sources. The main thing to do is make sure you get real Borax (Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate) and the common washable PVA glue. I'd actually recommend you stock up on Borax in case they try to clamp down on it again.
There's a certain irony that after the anti-Borax scaremongering there are slime videos showing the use of "safer" materials which completely lack the inherently preserving nature of boron. The combination of moist gel and organic materials in some of them may actually pose a real health risk to kids playing with it.
I'm not sure how long this stuff will last. I'd guess that the high presence of boron in the gel will make it relatively resistant to mould and bacteria. It does dry out if left in open air, so is best stored in a bag between uses.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

17 thoughts on “Making and testing polymer gel slime .”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars g8xft says:

    Yummy

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Greenlion No 1 says:

    How can i buy this

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars FILIGENZI LAB says:

    This is Amazing! I wonder if there’s a way to make it retain a more consistent shape, or be able to automatically return to its initial state. Again, awesome video!

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BLK n' WILD says:

    This would save lives behind Armored vest

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bpanther says:

    Yes Michelle…I too make slime everyday and on drying, crumbles off the sheets 😁

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Self Indulgent Gamer says:

    Sends shivers down the spine of all sofas everywhere!

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars flûggâenko€cchicebølsên says:

    Nob it

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ipsum the Purple Wuss - Loud Nation says:

    Basically polyvinylalcohol – polyvinylacitate

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars The Technodruid says:

    I want to watch a new series of Art Attack hosted by Clive

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Phillip bartlett says:

    I wonder if it's bullet proof? Clive please don't test it your our favorite. Lol.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars chocolatejellybean says:

    Borax is banned in Singapore

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars pa maj MARTINI VAN MAN says:

    I think the corn flour one is better, it is really runny but when struck with a hammer it really solidifies then runs again within seconds. I think it was Blue Peter or a program called How that I first seen this 😆. I always play with this mix while I'm making a thickening agent for broth lol.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Christopher Grove says:

    You can still buy "20 Mule Team Borax" here in Michigan, USA.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andy47357 says:

    i wonder if you could use that stuff for impact resistant gloves kinda like steel toe boots

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ElfNet Designs says:

    People in the states are convinced that boric acid is straight up poison.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TranquillShot says:

    Funny, interesting, and informative.

    Great video dude!

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars mgunter says:

    How quickly does it do this? Can you make training armor out of this?

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