Mystery Items No. 6, Item 6 of 10.

[jfgw]

This particular sample is 70mm wide and self-adhesive but other sizes are available, and without the adhesive.

A typical thickness is 0.01" and with a stiffness similar to thin card. The colour is unimportant — green is common but other colours (such as red or grey) are available. While the photo may make it look like thin felt, it is actually smooth and firm.

Two questions:
1. What is it for?
2. What is it called? (What is its "common" name?)


(My image)


Julian F. G. W.

[AleisterCrowley]

Pseudo-grass for dioramas!
You like your green rectangles, don't you?

[jfgw]

Pseudo-grass for dioramas!
You like your green rectangles, don't you?

It is not used for any form of model making. it is not normally seen in use.

i like green things.


Julian F. G. W.

[monabri]

Does it go under something in use...horizontally applied to join 2 identical things together?

[AsleepInYorkshire]

Repairs for a snooker/pool table

AiY(D)

[jfgw]

Does it go under something in use...horizontally applied to join 2 identical things together?

It could go under, over or around something. It is not used for joining things together. (I have to be careful not to give too much away.)

It has one general use but a lot of specific uses.

It is not for use on snooker tables. It is actually quite smooth.

Don't forget question 2. Its common name seems completely unrelated to its use. I have not found a convincing explanation for how it got its name and, as this product has been around for over 100 years, the true explanation may be forgotten.


Julian F. G. W.

[mc2fool]

I'm struggling to think of a material that fits your description, especially one that's been around for over 100 years. The thinness along with "stiffness similar to thin card" implies a metal, but then the colours imply an artificial material. Is it a natural or artificial material? Some kind of polymer/plastic?

[UncleEbenezer]

Has the answer been suggested as an incorrect guess for an earlier item?

[jfgw]

It is a semi-synthetic material. It is not made from, nor does it contain, metal.

The answer has not been suggested previously for another item.

It is still used. It can be die-cut into different shapes. I think everyone here will have seen it in use (especially those who like to pull things to bits), although it may not be too helpful to follow that thought-path.


Julian F. G. W.

[scotview]

Green baize ?

[jfgw]

It is not baize or any other soft material. It smooth. It is a semi-synthetic plastic but it looks more like a slightly shiny card.

If you pull apart everything in your home, you are likely to find lots of bits of it.

What do you think its properties might be?


Julian F. G. W.

[servodude]

It is not baize or any other soft material. It smooth. It is a semi-synthetic plastic but it looks more like a slightly shiny card.

If you pull apart everything in your home, you are likely to find lots of bits of it.

What do you think its properties might be?


Julian F. G. W.

Is it some sort of gasket?

[jfgw]

It can be used for gaskets although I don't think that it is a very common gasket (seal) material.

One of its properties is very important.


Julian F. G. W.

[Itsallaguess]

One of its properties is very important.

My guess (text coloured to avoid spoilers..)

I think it's a piece of electrical-isolation sheet, often found under PCB's inside consumer electronics, to protect the rear of circuit boards away from earth/ground elements

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[kempiejon]

It can be used for gaskets although I don't think that it is a very common gasket (seal) material.

One of its properties is very important.


Julian F. G. W.

insulation - I have just learnt it might also be called fish sheet is that the other name you mentioned

[jfgw]

Correct answer Itsallaguess and kempiejon. It has a huge range of different but related uses. I have a little shaped piece stuck to the end of something in front of me now.

I was looking for the name **** paper rather than **** sheet — close enough for me.


Julian F. G. W.

[AsleepInYorkshire]

Correct answer Itsallaguess and kempiejon. It has a huge range of different but related uses. I have a little shaped piece stuck to the end of something in front of me now.

I was looking for the name **** paper rather than **** sheet — close enough for me.


Julian F. G. W.

Do you need an ambulance?

AiY(D)

[jfgw]

Do you need an ambulance?

Not unless I do something stupid with it.


Julian F. G. W.