other ways to make polymers?

[Patricia Gonzalez]

What are some other ways to make polymers without using PVA?  It is too expensive and I have heard of using white glue, guar gum and borax.  Any suggestions?

[mwickenkamp]

Powdered PVA isn't too expensive, but kind of a pain to make the liquid from.

[amykmurphy]

I use glue and borax (sodium borate) which you can get from Flinn. Some stores still even sell borax with the laundry detergent, but I haven't found it in my area.

The polymer is like silly putty (but not exactly the same) and the students can color it using food coloring.

 

[dougy]

white glue diluted 50/50 or so with water (try different concentrations) and saturated borax (20 mule team from the supermarket)