> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nicholsonlabs.gitbook.io/labs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nicholsonlabs.gitbook.io/labs/bioplastic/experiments-with-bioplastic/burning-bioplastic.md).

# Burning Bioplastic

![](https://829019481-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQKxP3dLVX23EmnpaB5PS%2Fuploads%2FeyKn1oQsKaycs58UxkXq%2FIMG_2235.jpeg?alt=media\&token=b11d2b6d-f912-41d1-97f9-068843bdbbbc)

Having fireproof plastic would be pretty cool, right? Or at least having plastic that when it burns, doesn't release toxic fumes?

I put dried Ag10 directly into a burning candle flame for two minutes. Then, after two minutes, I took the sample out of the direct flame and it could not sustain its own flame. It didn't even smolder or melt. It did shrink, though. The outer layers formed a layer of char that stopped further flames from reaching the inside of the bioplastic. This char can easily be peeled off, and then you have a semi-fresh fragment of bioplastic left.

To conclude, bioplastic seems fireproof to a certain extent to small and low-temperature flames for a little while. I suspect that with a hotter and larger flame, the bioplastic would probably just burn.