Moldables

Moldables are a broad category of materials that can be shaped and reshaped by hand or with tools when they are soft, then retain the chosen form when cured, cooled, or hardened. They are used in art, design, and manufacturing to form complex shapes without the need for rigid tooling.

Common moldables include modeling clays (oil-based clays such as Plastilina, which do not dry out), polymer clays (like Fimo or Sculpey that cure with baking), air-dry clays, waxes used in sculpture, and putty-like substances such as epoxy putty and silicone putty. In metalworking, malleable metals such as gold, silver, copper, and aluminum can be deformed under pressure to achieve desired shapes.

Working properties vary: plasticity and softness determine ease of shaping; working time and temperature or moisture sensitivity affect how long a material stays workable; some moldables are reusable before curing, while others harden permanently after a fixed cure or bake cycle. Safety considerations, surface finish, and storage conditions also influence handling and performance.

Typical uses include sculpture and fine art, character design, architectural models, prosthetic and medical simulators, rapid prototyping, mold-making and casting, and field repairs. Moldables enable rapid iteration and physical testing of forms without permanent manufacturing investments.

Historically, moldables have roots in clay and wax modeling. The development of synthetic polymers and silicone materials broadened the range of workable compounds, expanding applications from creative sculpture to precision prototyping and durable restorations.