Acrylic embedment is the process of inserting and allowing an item or a text to float within it so that it can be preserved. 

 

Say we want to embed a medal in an acrylic cube. First we need to make a mold for the cube. Then, we hand make our liquid acrylic mixture and pour a first layer into the mold. We then place the medal on the first layer of liquid acrylic and pour the rest of the mixture in the mold. We then wait for the acrylic to solidify itself. Afterwards, we need to cook the mixture at a very high temperature and pressure for several hours. The heat will pressurize and harden the material, successfully embedding the medal inside the cube. Once it's fully cooked, it's off to sanding or machining depending on the complexity of the shape and finaly polishing and voilà!

 

It is important to note that acrylic has different reactions to different material once the embedding process starts. More importantly, some items will not react the same way neither.

 

So the question is: what can be embedded in acrylic? Sadly, embedding is not an exact science and sometimes, it is simply impossible to forecast the results for some items we have never tested but with our vast experience in the embedment process we have the knowledge of what can be embedded.

 

Rule of thumb though, organic items need to meet certain strict criteria or risk disintegration. Plastics, in most cases will not withstand the heat while cooking the acrylic. Some metals, if too thick, will make the acrylic crack as they tend to expand. Glass tends to crack within the acrylic as the pressurization is too much to bear. Porous material will be hit or miss. Some coatings, varnish and inks will either fade or the heat will alter the coloring.

 

Items you can safely embed are pewters, sand and small rocks, dry wood, metals, if no thicker than 1/8”, glass vials, acrylic and digital paper. Always be sure to contact your acrylic embedment specialist to confirm if your item can be embedded.