# 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: ![](/files/8Da7WDDCCr6ex7ygELca) As you can see, it is all shriveled up and warped. It is extremely brittle and has some, but no much, strength. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://nicholsonlabs.gitbook.io/labs/bioplastic/experiments-with-bioplastic/plasticizer-vs.-no-plasticizer.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.