Making a Slime with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Borax

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This time we are going to see how to make a slime with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), borax and water. We are also going to use fluorescent dye, as this method allows you to do so. You can also see how to make a slime with borax and glue white glue.

MATERIALS FOR THE EXPERIMENT

The materials we are going to use in the experiment are:

  • Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)(20 grams)
  • Borax (5-10 grams)
  • Rhodamine and Fluorescein (Both are optional dyes for fluorescence, any other dye can be used).
  • Ultraviolet light. If you have used fluorescent tracers, you will need an ultraviolet light to see them.

All these products can be found at Alquera.com

STEP-BY-STEP EXPERIMENT

For this experiment we are going to mix:

  • A dissolution of 500ml water and 20gs of polyvinyl alcohol
  • A dissolution of 100ml water and 5 grams of Borax (only 20ml of the solution will be used later)

STEP 1. Dissolve 20 grams of polyvinyl alcohol in water..

This is the most complicated step of the whole process, as dissolving the polyvinyl alcohol in water takes time and patience. You will need to heat 500ml water to just before boiling and slowly pour in the 20 grams of polyvinyl alcohol and stir every now and then, avoiding lumps. If lumps form, heat again and continue stirring. As you pour in the polyvinyl alcohol you will see small crystals of the alcohol in the solution and you will have to stir and stir until they disappear. In my case it took me 1h 30minutes to dissolve 20 grams of PVA in 500ml of water.

disolver PVA en agua

STEP 2. Dissolve 5 grams of Borax in 100ml of water.

This step is very simple, heat the water a little, add a teaspoon or 5 grams of borax and you will see that you can dissolve it easily.

STEP 3. Add dye to the polyvinyl alcohol solution.

Once the polyvinyl alcohol solution is cooled in water, transfer it to the container where you are going to make the slime. Pour the dye you are going to use on top of the solution. In this case I used fluorescent dye: rhodamine (pink) and fluorescein (yellow). The fluorescence is visible when the element is irradiated with ultraviolet light. For this I have used 2 ultraviolet torches.

colorante a la disolución de alcohol polvinilico

 

Fluoresceína Sódica en PVA

 

STEP 4. Slowly pour the borax solution in water over the polyvinyl alcohol solution.

Stir the borax into the polyvinyl alcohol, and you have your slime! You can vary the quantities of pva and borax used to form different slime textures. The colours can also be modified.

 

ON VIDEO

Watch the whole step by step video

TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF THE EXPERIMENT

The polyvinyl alcohol is itself a water-soluble polymer. It has adhesive properties and is non-toxic. It is often used as a raw material for adhesives and in cosmetics. It is presented in the form of a 1mm thick powder, it is necessary to apply heat and movement for its dissolution in water. In this video you can see more information about polyvinyl alcohol.

The borax is a white powder with many applications such as detergent booster, odour remover. It also has the characteristic of being able to remove stickiness in glue.

The reaction is very simple. The borax joins 2 PVA chains together creating a polymer that is larger than the original PVA. The viscosity increases as the size of the polymer formed increases.

 

OTHER WAYS TO MAKE SLIME

You can also make slime with glue and borax: How to make slime with glue and borax

6 comments on "Hacer un Slime con Alcohol Polivinilico (PVA) y Borax"

  1. interesate, yo queria saber como se utiliza el alcohol polivinilco, por ejemplo en adhesivos es que yo hacer lamina o pelicula para imprimir y hacer hidropintura , tener sus propios diseños para imprimir el adhesivo de alcohol polivinilco.
    thank you very much for your attention

  2. Hi, What is the truth that borax is very toxic? I have already done this experiment, but I wanted to know if it can be done with primary school children. I understand that borax comes in some detergents, so I don't know how true it is that it is potentially dangerous to use.

    1. Hi, pure borax is a product that must be handled very carefully. When making the slime, give them the borax already dissolved in water (15 grams per 1.5L - 1% concentration). The adult who handles it should do so with great care (gloves). Borax itself is a component of detergents, paints and many compounds. In low concentration (1%) and taking into account that it is not to be used every day, it does not worry me. After making the slime you should wash your hands.

      These are the danger indications of pure borax:
      Indications of danger:
      H360FD: May impair fertility. May harm the unborn child.
      H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
      Cautionary advice:
      P202: Do not handle before all safety instructions have been read and understood.
      P281: Use personal protective equipment as required.
      P308+P313: IF exposed or concerned: seek medical advice/attention.
      P305+P351+P338: IF IN CASE OF EYE CONTACT: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
      minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
      P501: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations.

  3. Hello,
    Polyvinyl alcohol has a ratio of 20 grams per 500 ml of water, always? It has to be dissolved in hot water, it is not possible with unheated water?

  4. Hello, good afternoon, thank you for sharing this experiment for children, one question, to colour the slime can I use vegetable colouring and in which step can I apply it <<before dissolving the polyvinyl alcohol or after adding the borax? That's all for the moment. Thank you very much

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