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Has anyone tried bending mica? I’m thinking of using some (.0015″ is the thickness I’ve seen advertised) for a light fixture whose design includes a couple of curved planes. My first thought was to use corian and thermoform it, but I’d sort of prefer a warmer and more organic color. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
John Casteen
Fern Hill Furniture Works
Earlysville, Va.
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Thin mica bends but not as much as you may think. You need to get some and experiment. You did not tell us how much bend you wish to make.
If you can get natural stuff, your better off. The natural stuff often has impurities in it and in a light fixture, will produce a type of light emission that is wonderful. I have an old parlar heater stove which has a bunch of mica installed in the front doors, etc. It has chrome top to reflect light into the room after it shines through the mica windows. It is unreal how wonderful this is!!!!
I would also suggest that you redesign your light to keep a curved shade, but to keep each smaller window flat. That way, the mica will have no bending stresses on it. Also, large expanses of mica do not look that good. Smaller windows with a nice frame looks much nicer.
*Thanks, Dev. This is helpful. I don't know the radius of the bend-- was sort of hoping to learn first if this was a bad idea, which it sounds like it isn't. I'm going to get some and play around with it.John
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