What is the Difference Between Cold Porcelain and Polymer Clay?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Cold porcelain clay and polymer clay are both modeling materials, but they have some key differences:

  1. Ingredients: Cold porcelain clay contains cornstarch and white glue as main components, making it non-toxic. Polymer clay, on the other hand, contains PVC resin and a liquid plasticizer.
  2. Drying and Curing: Cold porcelain clay dries in the open air without the need for oven drying or any other hardening process. Polymer clay requires baking in an oven to harden.
  3. Flexibility and Malleability: Cold porcelain clay is very flexible and malleable, making it easy to handle and mold. Polymer clay can be more stiff and challenging to work with than cold porcelain clay.
  4. Finishing and Sealing: Polymer clay does not require sealing, as it is always in a raw or cured state. Cold porcelain clay may need additional sealing.
  5. Price: Cold porcelain clay is generally more affordable than polymer clay.
  6. Comfort: Some people find cold porcelain clay more comfortable to work with, as it does not stain and does not require preparation.

In summary, cold porcelain clay is a non-toxic, flexible, and more affordable modeling material that dries in the open air, while polymer clay is a synthetic material that requires baking to harden. The choice between the two depends on personal preference, comfort, and the specific project requirements.

Comparative Table: Cold Porcelain vs Polymer Clay

Here is a table comparing the differences between cold porcelain and polymer clay:

Feature Cold Porcelain Clay Polymer Clay
Ingredients Contains cornstarch and white glue as major components. Trace amounts of oils and glycerin give it a smooth texture. Contains polymer materials as components.
Preparation Does not require baking; air-dries. Requires baking in an oven.
Texture Known for its smooth texture, making it popular for creating delicate and intricate designs. Smoothing requires the use of oil or alcohol. Smoothing requires the use of mineral oil, lecithin, zinc oxide, etc. Tends to pick up fingerprints easily.
Biodegradability Most of the constituents in cold porcelain clay are biodegradable. Polymer clay is not biodegradable.
Cost Cold porcelain clay is generally cheaper than polymer clay. Polymer clay is more expensive than cold porcelain clay.

Both cold porcelain clay and polymer clay are used for making folk-crafts and jewelry. Cold porcelain clay is known for its smooth texture and ability to create fine details, making it popular for creating delicate and intricate designs. On the other hand, polymer clay is a type of modeling clay that hardens when baked in an oven.