Can flour be substituted instead of cornstarch for cold porcelain?

You cannot directly substitute flour for cornstarch in cold porcelain. Here's why:

* Gluten: Flour contains gluten, a protein that creates elasticity and chewiness. When mixed with water, flour forms a dough, which is not the desired consistency for cold porcelain. Cornstarch, on the other hand, is gluten-free and forms a smooth, pliable paste when mixed with water.

* Texture: Flour-based mixtures will be too dense and crumbly, lacking the smooth, porcelain-like texture that cornstarch provides.

* Drying: Flour-based cold porcelain will dry too quickly and become brittle, making it difficult to work with and prone to cracking. Cornstarch dries slowly and creates a durable, porcelain-like finish.

Alternatives to Cornstarch:

If you're looking for alternatives to cornstarch, here are some options:

* Potato starch: Offers a similar texture to cornstarch but may be slightly more brittle.

* Tapioca starch: A good alternative, although it may have a slightly different drying time.

* Rice flour: A gluten-free option, but it can be more difficult to work with and may result in a less smooth finish.

Important Note: When using any alternative, you may need to adjust the recipe ratios and drying time to achieve the desired results.