> 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/melting-bioplastic.md).

# Melting Bioplastic

The possibility of remolding bioplastic and not having it shrink opens up a whole new world for solid bioplastic. This is because when you traditionally mold both solid and film bioplastics, they shrink when they dry. This isn't very useful because then the item you molded will be all wonky and the dimensions will be all off after drying. Melting the bioplastic after it has done its majority of drying allows it to be remolded without shrinking again

I don't really have any photos for this, but I'll describe the process. 

First, I put some completely dried solid bioplastic into a waffle maker.

Then, I closed the griddle and let it "cook" for about 10 minutes.

After ten minutes, the bioplastic had melted, though it wasn't runny or a liquid. It was more of a still-hardish Playdoh-like blob. So, I carefully took it out of the waffle maker and molded it with my fingers. It was hot, but I had to work fast before it cooled down. 

I let it dry for not too long (less than a few hours), and it was ready to use. I measured the size of it over a few days, and I can back up that it didn't shrink. 


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