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ChitoFlex

OVERVIEW

ChitoFlex is a flexible, chitosan-based bioplastic that hardens as it dries. It combines five simple ingredients – water, rice vinegar, glycerol, chitosan powder, and methyl cellulose – to create a viscous, jelly-like liquid that can be spread thin or poured into molds to dry into a durable, water-resistant solid. This experiment tested ChitoFlex’s ability to be extruded through a clay 3D printer, which revealed the need for protocol enhancements to ensure a seamless extrusion process that is less sensitive to temperature and pressure changes.

Created By:

Kira Finigan

Time:

 

30-minute prep but could need re-heating

Difficulty:

6/10

COMPOSITION

Water 

57g of water

Vinegar

33g of vinegar

Glycerol

5g of glycerol

Chitosan

4g of chitosan powder

Methylcellulose

1g of methylcellulose

method

1. Measure ingredients.
1. Measure ingredients.
2. Add rice vinegar and water into a pot, bring to a boil. Then, lower the temperature to a simmer, add glycerol and stir.
2. Add rice vinegar and water into a pot, bring to a boil. Then, lower the temperature to a simmer, add glycerol and stir.
3. Slowly incorporate chitosan, little by little, stirring as you go. Try to dissolve any chunks in the mixture by continually stirring, raising the temperature, and adding the powder very slowly.
3. Slowly incorporate chitosan, little by little, stirring as you go. Try to dissolve any chunks in the mixture by continually stirring, raising the temperature, and adding the powder very slowly.
4. Add a small pinch of methylcellulose, continue to stir to get the smoothest texture possible.
4. Add a small pinch of methylcellulose, continue to stir to get the smoothest texture possible.
5. Continue stirring the entire mixture until it has a viscous texture. (Note: Mixture will become stiff as it cools, but can be reheated.)
5. Continue stirring the entire mixture until it has a viscous texture. (Note: Mixture will become stiff as it cools, but can be reheated.)

RESULTS

Material Experiments

Molds

Extrusions

Test 4 - Kira Finigan
Test 7 - Kira Finigan
Test 6 - Kira Finigan
Test 5 - Kira Finigan
Test 3 - Kira Finigan
Test 2 - Kira Finigan
Test 1 - Kira Finigan
Extrusion 2 - Kira Finigan
Extrusion 1 - Kira Finigan
Extrusion 3 - Kira Finigan