Five High-Transparency Materials Tested

The three most common materials used for such sculptures are acrylic, crystal, and special glass.From materials and tools to finished products, the book explains the differences in detail and light transmission between different materials, and the relative ease of working with them.

The characteristics of the material.

Let's first talk about the "temperament" of these three materials.Acrylic is like a gentle kitten--soft and easy to cut, but prone to leaving rough edges. Crystal is more like a haughty peacock, with a transparency that's unmatched, but that will crack if you use too much force. Special glass is like a mature older brother--hard and durable, but requiring special equipment to cut.

Testing the results of the carving.

Transparency.

When you hold up pieces of the same thickness to the light, crystal's light transmission rate can reach 92 % or more, making the carvings seem to float in the air.Acrylic's light transmission rate of 88 % is not bad, but it has a faint blue tint when seen from the side.Special glass is the most unique, allowing for a gradual transition to a frosted effect, which is appropriate for works that need to block light.

The ability to present details.

When trying to carve feather textures with a 0.3 mm knife, crystal can clearly retain 20 feather veins, whereas acrylic starts to blur the edges at 15.Special glass can only show about 12 lines, but each one has a unique texture, which gives it a special appeal.

A guide to avoiding pitfalls.

The secret of selecting the right knife.

The best way to carve acrylic is to use a V-shaped blade at an angle of 60 °, and to keep the speed below 12,000 rpm.You have to use a diamond-coated tool for working crystal, and you have to go slowly, like you would with your girlfriend.For special glass, he recommends that you just put it directly into the laser engraver. If you are doing it by hand, you need to prepare three different hardnesses of grinding heads and use them in turn.

There are many overturned vehicles.

Last week, I was helping my colleagues clean up after a project, and discovered that someone had tried to use the same settings for carving acrylic on crystal, with the result that the material broke into "snowflakes" (a type of Chinese sweet).There was also another incident where someone tried to cool special glass by spraying it with water. The temperature difference was too great, and the glass shattered.Remember: Each type of material requires a different method of care!

Tips for maintaining your finished product.

Never clean acrylics with alcohol, as it will leave a permanent foggy mark.You have to avoid sudden changes in temperature, otherwise you'll hear a 'crack!' and your heart will break.Special glass is the easiest to clean. Just rinse with water or scrub with a steel wool pad. Just remember not to use chemical detergents on the carved surfaces.