Liquid chalk
The term liquid chalk refers to several substances, in relation to dry, powdery chalk:
- liquid-chalk marking pens (with water-soluble ink);
- liquid-chalk mixtures for athletic use: rock climbing, weightlifting, gymnastics;
- liquid-chalk hobby-craft paints made of cornstarch and food coloring (some with small amounts of flour).
Despite using the word "chalk," there may be no actual chalk within some forms of "liquid chalk" mixtures.
Marking pens with liquid chalk
Liquid-chalk markers have many commercial and craft uses. They are usually used to write the specials in restaurants. Liquid-chalk markers are usable on smooth, non-porous surfaces, glass, tile, glazed ceramic, plastic, metal, granite, and chalkboards.[1]
Liquid-chalk markers are popular with many handmade and children's crafts.
Sports
Liquid chalk can be a variation of normal chalk (see: magnesium carbonate) used to improve grip for sports such as rock climbing, weight lifting, or gymnastics. It is preferred by some athletes like Rachel Prine because it remains effective longer and leaves less residue on rocks and equipment. [2]
- Uses
Rock climbers use liquid chalk to prevent their hands from sweating. It may be used by climbers in situations where powdered chalk is restricted. Liquid chalk for rock climbers is made from magnesium carbonate, as compared to the more common powder chalk, which is calcium carbonate. Since liquid chalk does not leave a white residue, it is an environmentally friendly alternative. There are four forms of climbing where liquid chalk may prove more useful than powdered chalk.
- Bouldering - Is the disciple of climbing without a rope on small cliffs or boulders. In bouldering you tend to encounter difficult boulder, moves that can be rarely be done on the first try. Liquid chalk is great for this because it lasts longer than normal chalk.
- Competition Climbing - In competition climbing, every single hold counts therefore using liquid chalk may allow competitive climbers to take fewer chalk breaks, leading to a better result.
- Indoor Climbing - Due to the powder dusts caused by the use of chalk, pure magnesium carbonate is forbidden in many gyms. However, most gyms still allow chalk balls and liquid chalk.
- Outdoor Climbing - Chalk deposits on natural rock formations are considered ecologically harmful, and in many climbing locations, the use of chalk for climbing is strictly forbidden. Where chalk is allowed, environmentally conscious climbers may choose to use liquid chalk because it allows them to use less chalk and cause less damage.
- Deep-Water soloing - Due to the risk of falling into water involved with deep-water solo climbing, some climbers opt for liquid chalk as it allows them to apply chalk to their hands before starting the problem. They place a line of chalk on their forearms to re-chalk during the climb. This reduces wastage of loose chalk and prevents having to dry out a chalk bag.
In other sports, it may not make much sense to use liquid chalk, because re-chalking can be done more easily between sets or rounds. However, some gyms require liquid chalk because it leaves less residue on equipment. Liquid chalk also adheres to the hand better, reducing the need to re-chalk regularly.
Ingredients
Some liquid-chalk mixtures for climbing are made with magnesium carbonate, colophony, and ethanol or an alcohol that dissolves the colophony and evaporates fast from the solution (as isopropyl alcohol or methanol). Sometimes, an additive for aroma is included, because of the bad smell of spirit.
How it works
Sports liquid chalk is sold in bottles. The user takes a small amount onto their palms, spreading the chalk onto areas that require grip. The liquid evaporates when it comes in contact with the warmth of their hands, leaving behind chalk. Alcohol disrupts the bonds between water molecules, reducing the energy needed to cause evaporation.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ "Chalk Ink: Liquid Chalk Markers, Chalkboard Signs & Glass Markers.". www.chalkink.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
- ↑ Sources include websites about climbing or bodybuilding, using liquid-chalk mixtures to grip barbells or other equipment.
- ↑ "Liquid Chalk". graspfit.com.