Composimold is a composite molding material. The details are a trade secret. It’s biodegradable, food safe (but don’t ingest), honey coloured, rubbery at room temperature and melts in the microwave. It’s designed for mold-making, and can be melted and reused at lest 35 times. I got mine from Aldax in Sydney (http://www.aldaxstore.com.au/), and there’s lots of information (except for composition) on the Composimold company website http://www.composimold.com/.
Sample p3-8
In my first experiment I used a silicone egg ring on a smooth plastic cutting mat as a base. Plasticine was used to create a seal around the bottom. The tub of composimold was put into the microwave for three bursts of 30 seconds, until it melted to the consistency of runny honey. A pool was poured into the ring, then a half skin from a sumo mandarin put on top. No mold release was used.
I waited for around an hour for the composimold to set (ambient temperature around 18° C).

Sample p3-8 Backlit
The mold is delicate, ethereal. Variation of depth causes colour change, enhancing our perception of the textured surface. Tiny air bubbles bring vitality and light into the surrounding material. What would be a flaw in a mold for casting becomes a positive here.
The photograph on the left demonstrates the flexibility of the material. The disc will fold right back on itself with no apparent damage. I feel this could be useful, although I don’t have a particular application in mind yet.
This image also shows the “splash” effect of the molding material moving up around the mandarin skin as it was placed in the ring.
The material is almost totally transparent. On the right a piece of indigo dyed paper has been placed behind it and detail of the patterning is clearly visible, green through the gold of the composimold.The surface of the composimold is very slightly tacky to the touch. The samples I saw in the store had picked up dust and lost their gloss and some of the transparency – something to consider when presenting and storing work if those properties are significant.
A closeup of the splash effect shows the energy and dynamic interest created. The delicate tracery around the edges is moderately strong but I suspect would not withstand prolonged or rough handling.
Sample p3-8
Sample p3-9

Sample p3-9
The photograph to the left demonstrates the impact of different angles of viewing. The colour of the material is much richer where we are looking through the full width of the mold. In sample p3-8 the best photographs had the molded surface showing and the smooth surface on the table. This allowed appreciation of the depth of texture. In the current sample the best photographs had the smooth surface uppermost. When the molded surface was on top visually confusing and blurring shadows muddied the image.
Sample p3-10

Sample p3-10
Despite or because of those difficulties, the fine details of the texture have been captured and the result is pleasing.

Sample p3-10 backlit

P3-e1 group of samples – polymorph and composimold
Sample p3-11

Sample p3-11

Sample p3-11 Inside out
On this first experience I am very taken by the possibilities and ease of use of this material. I have a few days of other activities scheduled, which will give me some time to think about next steps.
T1-MMT-P3-p1 Molding from a surface – ComposiMold
Textiles 1 – Mixed Media for Textiles
Part 3: Molding and casting
Project 1: Molding from a surface – ComposiMold
Thank you for all the details. Love this. Must look to see if composimould available in UK as this has added extras from the resin I have (flexibility). Have you played with putting stuff into the medium like dyes or might that be a chemical too much? Watching with eager anticipation as this progresses.
Yes, really exciting stuff. I think fairly new to market. So much more to explore.