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You are here: Science Cafe / Chemistry / Make your own Flubber

Make your own Flubber

22 Dec 2008 / 3 Comments / in Chemistry/by Carl

Flubber is similar to slime in many ways, sort of just a variation on the recipe. The slight change in the amounts of water, borax and glue makes a big difference in the final product. Try for yourself and check this stuff out.

What you need:

  • Warm water
  • 3 tsp. Borax (non-toxic/available by laundry detergents)
  • 2 cups of white glue
  • Food coloring

What to do:

  1. In a large container, (such as a pail), combine 1.5 cups warm water, 2 cups white glue and food coloring.
  2. In a second, smaller container, combine 11/3 cups warm water with 3 tsp. Borax.
  3. Mix ingredients in each container thoroughly.
  4. Pour contents of small container into the large container.
  5. Gently lift and turn the mixture until approximately a tablespoon of liquid is left. Flubber will be sticky at first. Let excess liquid drip off. Flubber will then be ready!

Stretch it…Bounce it…Roll it!
How many ways can you explore this substance?

What’s the Science?
Flubber… it’s not just a Disney movie. Flubber is a polymer. The word polymer comes from the Greek language from poly “many” and meros “parts”. Polymers are large molecules consisting of repeating identical structural units connected by covalent chemical bonds. Polymers can be naturally occurring or manmade. Manmade polymers are materials like nylon, polyester, and polystyrene. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are proteins in our body like tubulin and actin. These proteins make up microtubules and microfilaments that serve as structural components within our cells.

Storage and Safety Guidelines:
Store Flubber in an airtight container for about 3 weeks of use. Flubber is non-edible. When you are through with it, discard in a trash container. Do not wash down the drain.

3 Responses to Make your own Flubber

  1. Slimed! « Remarkably Domestic says:
    March 18, 2010 at 2:50 pm

    [...] it’s a polymer and a Maxwell solid, so it’s all sciency and [...]

  2. Flubber Recipe says:
    April 30, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    [...] Because of the science behind this recipe, the borax combines with the PVA in the glue and makes a polymer. You could do nothing at this point and it would turn to flubber after a while. But what fun would [...]

  3. Carl says:
    April 30, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    I love the little tubs of “Nate’s Flubber”, very cool. You remind me that I should update my posting regarding the relatively low level of toxicity of borax relative to other substances.
    -Carl

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