Bioplastic is a type of plastic that can be made using vegetable starch, gelatin or agar. Therefore, it is a material that does not pollute because it is not a derivative of petroleum. You can even do this at home using some simple ingredients and the stove!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using Corn Starch and Vinegar
Step 1. Get the supplies
To make this kind of bioplastic you need corn starch, distilled water, glycerol, white vinegar, a stove, a saucepan, a silicone spatula and food coloring (if desired). You can purchase these items at a grocery store or on the Internet. If you have a hard time finding glycerol, be aware that it is also called glycerin, so try looking for it under this other name. The quantities required of each ingredient to produce the bioplastic are as follows:
- 10 ml of distilled water
- 0.5-1.5 g of glycerol
- 1, 5 g of corn starch
- 1 ml of white vinegar
- 1-2 drops of food coloring
- Adult supervision is recommended.
Step 2. Combine all the ingredients and mix them together
Add all the ingredients to the pot and mix them with the spatula. Turn until you have eliminated most of the lumps you see forming. At this stage, the mixture will have a milky white color and will be quite watery.
If you mix up the ingredients, throw away the solution and start over
Step 3. Turn on the stove over medium-low heat
Put the pot on the gas and turn it on to medium-low heat. Stir constantly as the solution heats up. Bring it to a gentle boil. Once heated, it will become semi-transparent and begin to thicken.
- Remove it from the heat when it becomes thick and transparent;
- The total heating time will be around 10-15 minutes;
- If it overheats, lumps may form;
- If you want to color the plastic, add a drop or two of food coloring during this step.
Step 4. Pour the mixture onto aluminum foil or parchment paper
Turn it over still hot on aluminum foil or parchment paper to cool. If you want to get a precise shape, you have to do it while it is still hot. Go to the last method to know the details of this process.
Remove any bubbles that form by pricking them with a toothpick
Step 5. Allow the plastic to dry for at least two days
It will take some time for it to dry and harden. As it cools, it will begin to solidify. The overall time depends on its thickness. A small, rather tall piece will take longer to dry than a larger, thinner one.
- During this phase, leave the plastic in a cool, dry place;
- Check it after two days to see if it has completely hardened.
Part 2 of 3: Use Gelatin or Agar
Step 1. Get the supplies
To make this type of bioplastic you will need gelatin or agar powder, glycerol, hot water, a saucepan, a stove, a spatula and a cake thermometer. You can easily purchase these ingredients at a grocery store. If you can't find glycerol, remember it is also called glycerin, so try looking for it under this other name. For each ingredient you will need the following quantities:
- 3g of glycerol
- 12 g of gelatin or agar
- 60 ml of hot water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Agar is a substance made from algae that can be used in place of gelatin to make a vegan bioplastic.
Step 2. Combine all the ingredients
Combine them in the pot and stir until all lumps are removed. You may want to use a whisk to melt them. Put the pan on the gas and start heating the mixture over medium-high heat.
If you want to color the plastic, add a few drops of food coloring during this step
Step 3. Heat the mixture to 95 ° C or until it begins to foam on the surface
Submerge the cake thermometer and check it until the temperature reaches around 95 ° C or foam begins to form. It is not a problem if it happens before the solution reaches the indicated temperature. Remove it from the stove when it has reached 95 ° C or begins to foam.
Keep stirring the mixture while it is on the stove
Step 4. Pour the liquid plastic onto a smooth surface covered with aluminum foil or parchment paper
After removing the pot from the stove, remove the excess foam. Scoop it out with a spoon before you knock the liquid plastic out of the pot. Stir again to dissolve all the lumps.
- If you just want to have fun, pour the mixture onto a smooth surface. Make sure you cover it with aluminum foil or parchment paper so you can peel off the plastic more easily.
- If you want to get a precise shape, you have to do it during this phase. Go to the last method to know the details of this process.
Step 5. Let the plastic harden for at least a couple of days
The time it takes to solidify depends on the thickness of the piece. Typically, it takes at least two days before it dries and hardens completely. You can speed up this process by using a hair dryer. However, it's best to set it aside for a few days to cool and thicken on its own.
Once solidified, you will no longer be able to shape or shape it. If you want to give it a particular shape, you have to proceed while it is still warm and malleable
Part 3 of 3: Modeling the Bioplastic
Step 1. Make a mold
The mold is the negative impression from which the desired shape is obtained. You could take a cast of the object you want to reproduce by working the plaster in such a way as to obtain two pieces. Once dry, peel them off. If you fill each half with liquid plastic and then combine them, you'll get a copy of the same object. You can also use a utility knife to shape the plastic when it is still hot.
An alternative to the hand-made mold is to purchase a mold from a hobby shop and make a DIY
Step 2. Pour the hot plastic into the mold
Once you get the mold, you can use it to create more than one object. When the plastic is still liquid, pour it inside. Make sure it completely covers the mold and try to eliminate any bubbles by pressing it lightly on a flat surface.
To make it easier to remove the shape when it has dried, coat the inside of the mold with a non-stick spray before pouring in the liquid plastic
Step 3. Let it dry for at least two days
It will take a few days to dry and harden completely. The time required depends on the thickness of the shape. If it is very tall, it will probably take more than two days for it to fully solidify.
After a couple of days, check it out. If it still feels soft, leave it for another 24 hours, then check again. Continue like this until it is completely dry
Step 4. Remove the plastic from the mold
After a few days it will have completely hardened and dried. At this point, you can remove it from the mold and you will have obtained the plastic version of the object you had chosen to reproduce.
