biofoilextraflexible.md

BIOFOIL EXTRA FLEXIBLE

Tactility & sound impression

Description

A transparent, glossy and very flexible sheet of gelatine-based bioplastic. Slightly sticky.

Physical form

Surface

Color without additives: transparent, slightly yellow where thicker

Fabrication time

Preparation time: 1 Hour

Processing time: 5-7 days

Need attention: None, just leave it to dry as long as is feasible.

Final form achieved after: 1 week

Ingredients

• Gelatine powder - 24 gr
  • Functions as the polymeer (so it becomes a solid)
• Glycerine - 18 gr
  • Functions as plasticizer that bonds with the gelatine (makes it flexible). This recipe has a bit more glycerine to make the foil less rigid. It doesn't have the "crackling" sound as a result.
• Water - 200 ml/gr
  • To dissolve and mix the polymeer and plasticizer

Tools

1. Cooker or stove (optional: temperature controlled)
2. Pot
3. Scale
4. Acrylic sheet (or silicon mat) for casting. The smooth surface results in a very shiny, transparent foil.
5. Spoon

Yield before processing/drying/curing

Approx. 200 ml

Method

1. Preparation

   • Weigh your ingredients
   • Prepare the acrylic sheet and find a place where you can leave it for a while

2. Mixing and dissolving the ingredients

   • bring the water to the boil
   • optional: add natural dye if you wish to use color
   • add the glycerine
   • add the gelatine
   • keep the temperature below 80 degrees celcius while stirring very very slowly and gently to avoid making bubbles. I prefer a simple spoon to do this, not a whisk.

3. Cooking the ingredients

   • Simmer and slowly stir the mixture between 60-80 degrees celcius for 20 minutes. I turn it lower when I get bubbles. You don't want the liquid to move, don't boil it.
   • Longer cooking time allows more water to evaporate. You will get a thicker, more syruppy liquid that spreads slower: resulting in a thicker sheet.

4. Casting

   • Let the liquid cool for a couple minutes until it gels a little but is still liquid, like syrup.
   • Cast onto the acrylic sheet slowly to avoid bubbles
   • Pour from the middle and hold still, let the liquid distribute itself
   • Let it dry for 48-72 hours at least before releasing. If it feels cold to the touch it is still drying. Patience pays off with these sheets