3 ms·

Could it work in a situation where it provided the structural support and was coated in plastic?

• nomel 3y ago
  Probably unrelated, but here's a neat video about the problems with resin coated rebar: https://youtu.be/xVDy84rR5Z8 https://youtu.be/xVDy84rR5Z8 TLDW: in practice, it's worse than leaving it bare! Probably unrelated because it's rebar degradation is ionic, so it can concentrate, where decomposition from microorganisms is surely related to the actual surface area.
• toss1 3y ago
  Protective coating could be a good approach for some things, typically of intermediate lifespan. Protective coatings are becoming used more and more extensively in many fields, and they can produce astonishing results. That said, with applications for sugar-based structures, the slightest flaw, scratch, cut, or perforation becomes a barn door through which bacteria can drive their metaphorical horses and carriage. But for temporary applications such as packaging, a sugar-based material with a thin coating (maybe plastic, maybe another material) to preserve it for a short life, but allow it to biodegrade or compost could be excellent. For example, I find it particularly ironic that when the garden is out of season, I go to the grocery store only to find "organic triple washed" greens packaged in permanent plastic clamshells that will last for years. Sure, it does the job of getting the greens to us, but then it is making the problem worse.
  • themitigating 3y ago
    That actually makes sense for produce because if it goes bad the container and product can be composted. What I was thinking of is similar to wax coated paper cups.