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{{short description|Pressure-sensitive adhesive putty}}
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{{Use British English|date=January 2012}} {{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
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<!-- Deleted image removed: ]n Blu-Tack packaging]] -->


⚫ ]
'''Blu-Tack''' is a reusable ]-like ] produced by ], commonly used to attach lightweight objects (such as posters or sheets of paper) to walls or other dry surfaces. Traditionally pale blue, it is also available in other colours.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/A493553|title=Blu-Tack|work=H2G2|accessdate=27 January 2012}}</ref>
]


'''Blu&nbsp;Tack''' is a reusable ]-like ] produced by ], commonly used to attach lightweight objects (such as posters or sheets of paper) to walls, doors or other dry surfaces. Traditionally blue, it is also available in other colours. Generic versions of the product are also available from other manufacturers. The spelling now used is without a hyphen.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bostik.co.uk/diy/product/bostik/Blu-Tack/89 |title=Bostik Blu Tack - A re-usable adhesive |last=ikodesign |website=www.bostik.co.uk |language=en |access-date=17 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711102935/http://www.bostik.co.uk/diy/product/bostik/Blu-Tack/89 |archive-date=11 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The composition of Blu-Tack is a manufacturing secret but is described as a synthetic rubber compound without hazardous properties under normal conditions. It can be swallowed without harm and is noncarcinogenic. It is non-soluble and is denser than water. The material has a ] of 93°C/200°F, at which it releases ], ], water vapour, ], and toxic fumes.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

As of 2015, Bostik was manufacturing around 100 tonnes of Blu&nbsp;Tack weekly at its ] factory.<ref name="Ward213">{{Cite book |title=Adventures in Stationery |last=Ward |first=James |publisher=Profile Books |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-84668-616-0 |edition=paperback |location=London |page=213 |title-link=Adventures in Stationery}}</ref>


== History == == History ==
In 1970, laboratory researcher Alan Holloway was working for sealant manufacturer ] of ], England. Ralli Bondite was a wholly owned subsidiary of G & L Ralli Investment & Trustee Co. Ltd. Holloway inadvertently produced a product that was useless as a sealant, but pliable and semi-elastic.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} This novelty product was demonstrated by Ralli Bondite management to visiting executives from another sealant and adhesive manufacturer, as a means of wall mounting notices. There was no need for secrecy about the formula, as it was of no use for a gun-grade ], the main product of Ralli Bondite. Initially the potential of this material was not fully recognised, but later Bostik commenced research into the development of what they were eventually to launch as Blu-Tack. In its conceptual stage Blu-Tack was white, but was coloured blue in response to concerns received from ] regarding the possibility of children mistaking it for edible ].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Blu Tack and how it is made
| work = Frequently Asked Questions
| publisher = Bostik Australia
| year= 2005
| url = http://www.blutack.com/BLU_TACK.htm
| accessdate = 2006-01-10 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20051210015422/http://www.blutack.com/BLU_TACK.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2005-12-10}}</ref>


While the inventor of the commercial Bostik product is unknown,<ref name="Ward213-4">{{Cite book |title=Adventures in Stationery |last=Ward |first=James |publisher=Profile Books |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-84668-616-0 |edition=paperback |location=London |pages=213–214|title-link=Adventures in Stationery }} (Sealant developer Alan Holloway created a similar precursor product at another company which had business links to Bostik.<!--Statements on the internet suggesting that he developed the Bostik product, may be the result of misquotion of his to this page. The text of this edit was later removed by a different editor.-->)</ref> a precursor was created around 1970 as an accidental by-product of an attempt to develop a sealant based on chalk powder, rubber and oil. Blu Tack was originally white, but following fears that children could mistake it for chewing gum, a blue colouring was added.<ref name="Ward213"/>
⚫ In the ] during March 2008, Blu-Tack changed color for the first time since 1971{{Citation needed|reason=Pretty sure I have seen multicolor packs before then|date=July 2011}} – to pink – to help raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/36960/Blu-Tack-goes-pink-for-charity |title=Daily Express &#124; UK News :: Blu-Tack goes pink for charity |publisher=Express.co.uk |date=2008-03-04 |accessdate=2009-07-28}}</ref> 20,000 numbered packs were made available, £0.10 from each pack going to the charity. The formulation was slightly altered to retain complete consistency with its blue counterpart. Since then, many coloured variations have been made, including red and white, and a green ] pack.

⚫ In the United Kingdom in March 2008, 20,000 numbered packs of pink Blu&nbsp;Tack were made available, to help raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/36960/Blu-Tack-goes-pink-for-charity |title=Daily Express &#124; UK News :: Blu&nbsp;Tack goes pink for charity |publisher=Express.co.uk |date=4 March 2008 |access-date=28 July 2009}}</ref> with 10 pence from each pack going to the charity. The formulation was slightly altered to retain complete consistency with its blue counterpart. Since then, many coloured variations have been made, including red-and-white, yellow, and a green ] pack.

== Composition ==
]]]

Blu Tack is described as a synthetic rubber compound without hazardous properties under normal conditions. It can be swallowed without harm<ref name="Bostik FAQ">{{cite web |url=http://www.blutack.com/faq.htm |title=Welcome to Blu Tack.com - FAQ |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418062649/http://www.blutack.com/faq.htm |archive-date=18 April 2010}}</ref> and is not ]. It is non-soluble and is denser than water. The material is not flammable, but emits ] and ] when exposed to fire or high temperatures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostik.co.uk/sds/download_sds/BOSTIKBLUTACK-English/04413135.pdf |access-date=2 December 2014 |title=Safety Data Sheet Bostik Blu Tack |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509082722/http://www.bostik.co.uk/sds/download_sds/BOSTIKBLUTACK-English/04413135.pdf |archive-date=9 May 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Similar products == == Similar products ==
Similar products of various colours are made by many manufacturers, including ]'s "Tack-it", ]'s "Fun-Tak", ]'s "Poster Putty" and "Sticky Tack", ]'s "Dough Tack", "Gummy Sticker" ]'s "Sticky Stuff", ]'s "]" and ] "Poster Tack". Plasti-Tak by Brooks Manufacturing Company appears to pre-date Blu Tack, with a trademark registration in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://trademark.trademarkia.com/plastitak-72198931.html |title=PLASTI-TAK Trademark of BROOKS MANUFACTURING COMPANY Serial Number: 72198931 :: Trademarkia Trademarks |website=trademark.trademarkia.com |language=en |access-date=2 March 2019}}</ref>
In ] Blu-Tack is commonly known as "]" (as made by Bostik), or "Sticky Stuff" (as made by Pritt). In Iceland it is known as "kennaratyggjó" which translates as "teacher's chewing gum" and in Denmark it is known as "elefantsnot" (elephant's snot).


Versions of the product are also sold under the generic names "adhesive putty" and "mounting putty". The ] or common name for mounting putty varies by region. It is known as "Patafix" in France, Italy, Portugal, Austria and Turkey, ''{{lang|is|kennaratyggjó}}'' in Iceland and ''lærertyggis'' in Norway (both meaning "teacher's chewing gum"), ''{{lang|sv|häftmassa}}'' ("attachment paste") or ''{{lang|sv|kludd}}'' in Sweden, and ''{{lang|af|wondergom}}'' in South Africa (an ] word, literally translated as "wonder glue").
Similar products from other manufacturers include "Tack-it" by Faber-Castell,"Buddies" (colored pink), "Pritt-Tack", "Poster Putty", "Tac 'N Stick", "Ticky Tack", "Sticky Tack" and "White Tack" by German company ].


== Alternative uses ==
In the US, a similar, competing product in an orange color is marketed under the brand "Elmer's Tack". In Italy and France a similar product is ] by ].{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}
Like all poster putties, Blu&nbsp;Tack provides an alternative to the artist's traditional ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sibleyfineart.com/tutorial--erasing-pencil-blu-tack.htm |title=ERASING PENCIL with BLU-TACK wall putty at MIKE SIBLEY FINE ART |website=sibleyfineart.com|access-date=19 September 2019}}</ref>


Blu Tack was often used with the ] microcomputer to help mitigate crashes caused by wobbly external RAM modules.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-03-11|title=ZX81: Small black box of computing desire|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12703674|access-date=2021-12-23}}</ref> This was such a widespread problem that Sinclair Research's technical support department officially recommended the use of Blu Tack to resolve this issue.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sinclair ZX81 {{!}} Platform {{!}} VideoGameGeek|url=https://videogamegeek.com/videogameplatform/23052/sinclair-zx81|access-date=2021-12-23|website=videogamegeek.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫ == Uses ==
Like all poster putties, Blu-Tack provides an alternative to the artist's traditional kneaded eraser, having a superior grip and plasticity.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} Blu-Tack can be finely shaped and worked into even very small areas. Like kneaded erasers, it can be stretched and kneaded to freshen its working surfaces.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}


Blu-Tack is also used for sculpture. In 2007 artist Elizabeth Thompson created a 200 kilogram sculpture of a house spider using Blu-Tack over a wire frame. It took around 4000 packs and was exhibited at London Zoo.<ref>{{cite web|author=By tulpastudios Elizabeth Thompson+ Add Contact |url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/elizabeth_thompson/2574564991/ |title=Elizabeth Thompson Blu tack spider &#124; Flickr - Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |date= |accessdate=2012-01-31}}</ref> Other artists have created works from the material including stop-motion animation.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} In 2007 the artist Elizabeth Thompson created a {{convert|200|kg|abbr=on}} sculpture of a house spider using Blu&nbsp;Tack over a wire frame. It was exhibited at ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Largest Blu-Tack® sculpture |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.de/world-records/118849-largest-sculpture-made-from-blu-tack%C2%AE |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref>


Blu&nbsp;Tack can be used as a ] for sound and vibration applications, due to its low amplitude response properties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stereophile.com/content/sound-surprise-loudspeakerstand-interface |title=The Sound of Surprise (the loudspeaker/stand interface) |work=Stereophile.com|date=30 June 1995 }}</ref> A 2013 study concluded that the substance is a comfortable alternative to over-the-counter ear plugs for the attenuation of everyday sound.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Watson |first1=G J |last2=Trainor |first2=G |last3=Camilleri |first3=A E |date=June 2013 |title=Is Blu-tack as effective at attenuating sound as over-the-counter ear plugs? |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0022215113000807/type/journal_article |journal=The Journal of Laryngology & Otology |language=en |volume=127 |issue=6 |pages=574–577 |doi=10.1017/S0022215113000807 |issn=0022-2151}}</ref>
Blu-Tack can also be used to pick up and transfer images from printed cartoons.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}


The New Zealand Government Earthquake Commission recommends that products such as Blu Tack should be used to prevent ornaments and small household items from falling or moving in the event of an earthquake.<ref>New Zealand Government Earthquake Commission. . </ref>
⚫ ==References==

Blu&nbsp;Tack is sometimes used by electronic hobbyists to hold through-hole electronic components in position for soldering onto PC-boards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soldering Tips |url=https://learn.pimoroni.com/article/soldering-tips |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=learn.pimoroni.com}}</ref>

⚫ == See also ==
* ]

⚫ == References ==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links== == External links ==
{{Commons}}
*
* *
*
* Letter regarding development of a similar precursor product, from sealant developer Alan Holloway to James Ward, author of ''Adventures in Stationery'', on ]


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Latest revision as of 01:21, 8 December 2024

Pressure-sensitive adhesive putty

Blu Tack
White Blu Tack out of the box

Blu Tack is a reusable putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive produced by Bostik, commonly used to attach lightweight objects (such as posters or sheets of paper) to walls, doors or other dry surfaces. Traditionally blue, it is also available in other colours. Generic versions of the product are also available from other manufacturers. The spelling now used is without a hyphen.

As of 2015, Bostik was manufacturing around 100 tonnes of Blu Tack weekly at its Leicester factory.

History

While the inventor of the commercial Bostik product is unknown, a precursor was created around 1970 as an accidental by-product of an attempt to develop a sealant based on chalk powder, rubber and oil. Blu Tack was originally white, but following fears that children could mistake it for chewing gum, a blue colouring was added.

In the United Kingdom in March 2008, 20,000 numbered packs of pink Blu Tack were made available, to help raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign, with 10 pence from each pack going to the charity. The formulation was slightly altered to retain complete consistency with its blue counterpart. Since then, many coloured variations have been made, including red-and-white, yellow, and a green Halloween pack.

Composition

Blu Tack under a scanning electron microscope

Blu Tack is described as a synthetic rubber compound without hazardous properties under normal conditions. It can be swallowed without harm and is not carcinogenic. It is non-soluble and is denser than water. The material is not flammable, but emits carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide when exposed to fire or high temperatures.

Similar products

Similar products of various colours are made by many manufacturers, including Faber-Castell's "Tack-it", Henkel's "Fun-Tak", UHU's "Poster Putty" and "Sticky Tack", UFO's "Dough Tack", "Gummy Sticker" Pritt's "Sticky Stuff", Bostik's "Prestik" and Elmer's "Poster Tack". Plasti-Tak by Brooks Manufacturing Company appears to pre-date Blu Tack, with a trademark registration in 1964.

Versions of the product are also sold under the generic names "adhesive putty" and "mounting putty". The generic trademark or common name for mounting putty varies by region. It is known as "Patafix" in France, Italy, Portugal, Austria and Turkey, kennaratyggjó in Iceland and lærertyggis in Norway (both meaning "teacher's chewing gum"), häftmassa ("attachment paste") or kludd in Sweden, and wondergom in South Africa (an Afrikaans word, literally translated as "wonder glue").

Alternative uses

Like all poster putties, Blu Tack provides an alternative to the artist's traditional kneaded eraser.

Blu Tack was often used with the Sinclair ZX81 microcomputer to help mitigate crashes caused by wobbly external RAM modules. This was such a widespread problem that Sinclair Research's technical support department officially recommended the use of Blu Tack to resolve this issue.

In 2007 the artist Elizabeth Thompson created a 200 kg (440 lb) sculpture of a house spider using Blu Tack over a wire frame. It was exhibited at London Zoo.

Blu Tack can be used as a damping agent for sound and vibration applications, due to its low amplitude response properties. A 2013 study concluded that the substance is a comfortable alternative to over-the-counter ear plugs for the attenuation of everyday sound.

The New Zealand Government Earthquake Commission recommends that products such as Blu Tack should be used to prevent ornaments and small household items from falling or moving in the event of an earthquake.

Blu Tack is sometimes used by electronic hobbyists to hold through-hole electronic components in position for soldering onto PC-boards.

See also

References

  1. ikodesign. "Bostik Blu Tack - A re-usable adhesive". www.bostik.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  2. ^ Ward, James (2015). Adventures in Stationery (paperback ed.). London: Profile Books. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-84668-616-0.
  3. Ward, James (2015). Adventures in Stationery (paperback ed.). London: Profile Books. pp. 213–214. ISBN 978-1-84668-616-0. (Sealant developer Alan Holloway created a similar precursor product at another company which had business links to Bostik.)
  4. "Daily Express | UK News :: Blu Tack goes pink for charity". Express.co.uk. 4 March 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  5. "Welcome to Blu Tack.com - FAQ". Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  6. "Safety Data Sheet Bostik Blu Tack" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  7. "PLASTI-TAK Trademark of BROOKS MANUFACTURING COMPANY Serial Number: 72198931 :: Trademarkia Trademarks". trademark.trademarkia.com. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  8. "ERASING PENCIL with BLU-TACK wall putty at MIKE SIBLEY FINE ART". sibleyfineart.com. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  9. "ZX81: Small black box of computing desire". BBC News. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  10. "Sinclair ZX81 | Platform | VideoGameGeek". videogamegeek.com. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  11. "Largest Blu-Tack® sculpture". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  12. "The Sound of Surprise (the loudspeaker/stand interface)". Stereophile.com. 30 June 1995.
  13. Watson, G J; Trainor, G; Camilleri, A E (June 2013). "Is Blu-tack as effective at attenuating sound as over-the-counter ear plugs?". The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 127 (6): 574–577. doi:10.1017/S0022215113000807. ISSN 0022-2151.
  14. New Zealand Government Earthquake Commission."Easy Ways to Quake Safe Your Home" .
  15. "Soldering Tips". learn.pimoroni.com. Retrieved 8 November 2022.

External links

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