POST-PROCESSING TECHNIQUES | natural dyes, coating, heat pressing¶

Potential of dyeing, coatings, flexibility, and density adjustments: Using natural dyes and mica powders to color the root-based materials. Increasing their flexibility by soaking them in glycerol. The strength and density of a material can be affected by heat pressing. Conducting experiments with biodegradable coatings made of sodium alginate.

NATURAL DYES¶

MICA POWDERS | Heat-pressing, natural dyes¶

Mica powders are finely ground minerals with a shimmering, pearlescent effect. They're often used as colorants in cosmetics. To use them, I simply mix the desired amount of mica powder into glycerine and use it as a paint for the rootbased material, heatpressed it afterwards. I also experimented with different ratios to achieve the color effect.

Process: Vinyl press temperature 90°C, time 50-70s

HEAT PRESSING¶

Processing of the residual grass and seed layer¶

When harvesting the root-based material, we obtain a fine sheet by separating the root layer from residual grass and seeds. This leftover material can be treated with natural dyes, glycerol, and heat-pressed afterwards. We obtain a material with a higher density that is also relatively flexible and can be easily laser-cut.

LASER CUTTING¶

The pressed material is about 2mm thick. The material does not burn quickly, instead it gradually decomposes and becomes less compact. I did not observe any problems during laser cutting. Engraving is not possible. - Laser cutting machine: Trotec SPEEDY 400

Material	Thickness	Power	Speed	HZ
residual grass and seed layer	2 mm	80	1	1000

COATING | Sodium alginate¶

Sodium alginate has film-forming properties, which makes it useful for creating films or coatings that improve quality and shelf life.

COATING RESIDUAL MATERIAL¶

For coating the residual material I experimented with using 2g of Sodium Alginate in 100ml H2O with no Calcium Chloride. I then heat-pressed the sample.