Plasticizer vs. No Plasticizer

Plasticizer is not needed, but it is highly recommended. Plasticizer reduces shrinkage, increases strength, increases flexibility, increases impact strength, decreases brittleness, and increases elasticity, all of which are good.

I used Ag14 as my sample without a plasticizer and Ag15 (a similar amount of agar, but not the same) as my sample with a plasticizer. Here are the results from some of my testing:

Ag14:

As you can see, it is all shriveled up and warped. It is extremely brittle and has some, but no much, strength.