Materials
Know your materials
Know your materials and what they involve before you use them. Are they water soluble or oil-based? What aggregate or thinning substances will you need? Will you be using any dangerous chemicals? How do you plan on disposing of your waste?
Please see below for a list of common materials that you can & can’t use If you want to use something not on this list, you must provide a MSDS and get it approved by the Makerspaces staff before using the material.
CAN USE | CAN’T USE |
|
|
Silica and associated risks
Silica is one of the most common naturally occurring elements on the planet. Silica, the mineral compound silicon dioxide (SiO2), is found in two forms – crystalline or noncrystalline (also referred to as amorphous). Sand and quartz are common examples of crystalline silica.
When these materials are worked on, silica is released as a fine dust known as respirable crystalline silica or silica dust. Exposure to excessive levels of silica dust can cause severe respiratory issues and even death.
Please be cautious when using materials containing silica and make sure a P2 respiratory mask is worn by everyone in the space.
Materials Containing Silica |
Asphalt |
Brick |
Cement |
Clay |
Concrete |
Fiber Cement products |
Grout |
Gunite/Shotcrete |
Mortar |
Paints containing silica |
Plaster |
Some Plastics |
Refractory Mortar/Castables |
Rock |
Sand |
Soil |
Material Properties
MATERIAL | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
Cement | Excellent binding material Easily workable Good resistance to moisture once cured | Heavy |
Plaster | Cures extremely quickly Easily workable Cost efficient Resistant to water Minimal shrinkage with thermal and moisture changes | FIne particles can cause mess Extremely liquidy before curing, so mould must be water-tight |
Acrylic Paint | Water proof Dries quickly | Some contain additional toxins |
Oil-based Paint | Durable Smooth finish More resistant to scratches and damage than other paints | Dries slowly Difficult to clean up after painting Needs a solvent for thinning during use |
Glues | Quick adhesive method Many different material options to use on | Can have highly toxic fumes |
Sand | Inexpensive Easy to obtain | Heavy Once wet, can take a long time to dry |
Materials and Associated PPE
MATERIAL | PPE REQUIRED | REASON |
Cement & plaster | Respirator Gloves | Cement & plaster dust can cause harm to lungs Contact with skin can cause irritation & dryness |
Latex, oil paints, solvents & some finishes. | Respirator | Fumes can cause headaches, dizziness & nausea |
Sand | Respirator |
Sourcing Materials
It is important to acquire materials from a reliable source, where ingredient lists or Material Safety Data Sheets are available for the material.
Some reliable stores in Melbourne are:
Bunnings Warehouse: Extensive general construction materials and equipment
Barnes: Moulding, casting and sculpture
Mitre 10: Extensive hardware and construction supplies
Demak: Outdoor timber and hardware
Bowens: Timber, hardware and building materials
Storage
Storage in the Wetworks is limited. The shelves located inside the wet room are for short-term storage of projects only. Please label all of your work and materials using our project cards located at the Guru desk.
The Wetworks undergoes regular clear outs in an effort to keep the workspace clean & safe. If your work, material & equipment is not clearly labelled with a collection date it will likely be thrown away. It should also be stored properly on a shelf, nothing should be left on ground level.
If you require larger or more long-term storage, please speak to Maker Spaces staff and we will try to arrange an alternative for you.
Disposing of materials
Do not pour cement, casting solutions, liquids of large particles or high viscosity into the sink. If it is water with residue in it, please use a sieve to filter out any larger particles.
Whilst we have a separating tank, it is only designed to catch small amounts of debris. It is important that as many solids as possible are removed from any water before it is poured into the sink.
If you are not sure how to dispose of your material safely and in an environmentally friendly manner, please speak to Maker Spaces staff.
Last updated