Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) polymer: SLIME

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) laundry bags are used in hospitals to minimize

the contact hospital workers have with contaminated clothing and
bedding. Dirty items are put into these special bags, which are then
placed directly into the washing machine. Because polyvinyl alcohol is
soluble in water, the bags dissolve and are washed down the drain with
the dirty water. At the completion of the washing cycle, the clean
clothes are removed from the washing machine.
To make SLIME, these polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) laundry bags are
dissolved in hot water, to make a polyvinyl alcohol solution. This
solution contains long-chain polymers (imagine a pot full of spaghetti)
which makes it viscous. When this solution is mixed with a small
amount of Borax solution, the borax molecules cause the PVA polymer
chains to get connected to one another forming even longer chain-like
molecules. This causes the PVA to become even more viscous and gooey.
Directions: Directions:
To make SLIME, add the Borax solution to the PVA solution while
continuing to stir. Continue adding Borax solution drop by drop until
the PVA solution is no longer a liquid, but more like SLIME.
Precautions: Precautions:
Your SLIME is made of PVA and if you leave it exposed to air for a long
time, it will begin to dry out. Therefore, when you are not playing with
it, you should store it in a plastic ziplock bag.
As with any science experiment, your slime should not be consumed! Do
not taste it or eat it, and do not leave it where a pet or young children
might find it.
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) polymer: SLIME
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) laundry bags are used in hospitals to minimize
the contact hospital workers have with contaminated clothing and
bedding. Dirty items are put into these special bags, which are then
placed directly into the washing machine. Because polyvinyl alcohol is
soluble in water, the bags dissolve and are washed down the drain with
the dirty water. At the completion of the washing cycle, the clean
clothes are removed from the washing machine.
To make SLIME, these polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) laundry bags are
dissolved in hot water, to make a polyvinyl alcohol solution. This
solution contains long-chain polymers (imagine a pot full of spaghetti)
which makes it viscous. When this solution is mixed with a small
amount of Borax solution, the borax molecules cause the PVA polymer
chains to get connected to one another forming even longer chain-like
molecules. This causes the PVA to become even more viscous and gooey.
Directions: Directions:
To make SLIME, add the Borax solution to the PVA solution while
continuing to stir. Continue adding Borax solution drop by drop until
the PVA solution is no longer a liquid, but more like SLIME.
Precautions: Precautions:
Your SLIME is made of PVA and if you leave it exposed to air for a long
time, it will begin to dry out. Therefore, when you are not playing with
it, you should store it in a plastic ziplock bag.
As with any science experiment, your slime should not be consumed! Do
not taste it or eat it, and do not leave it where a pet or young children
might find it.