How to Make Concrete at Home: CoRncrete TU Delft - TfCD (Sam Smits& Zsolt Hayde)

This instructable helps you to create CoRncrete at home in less then 10 minutes!

For more information about the material read the added description document.

Ingredients needed: sand, corn starch and water

Tools needed: Kitchen scale, mold (which can be put in a microwave), microwave

Downloads

CoRncrete description_TfCD_Sam Smits& Zsolt Hayde.docx

Measure 125g Sand

Sand in CoRncrete is the aggregate. Different kinds of sands can be used making for different looks finishes and strength properties. Different color sands or added pigments can influence the color of the final material.

Measure 25g Corn Starch

Corn starch is the cement of this material. It is important to have dried corn starch for it influences the preciseness of the measurements. Grocery store bought corn starch contains a percentage of water therefore less water should be added in this case.

Mix the Sand and Corn Starch

Mix these ingredients util it becomes a homogeneous mix.

Measure 22.5g Water

Depending on the percentage of water in the corn starch this amount can vary.

Mix the Solid Ingredients With the Water

Water is added to gelatinize the corn starch in the mixture. Water and corn starch result in a non-Newtonian fluid.

Pour the Mix Inside the Mould

It is important to have a mold which can be put in a microwave. Also think about the draft angle of the mold. If no clear draft angle can be used due to the shape, try to make the mold so that you can cut it off the material once it's solid.

It is a good idea to very softly press the material into the mold to fully fill the shape.

Put the Mold in the Microwave and Turn It on for Approximately 3 to 5 Minutes

Heating the mixture start the gelatinization of the material and binds the sand particles together. Depending on the strength of the microwave as well as the amount of material made the heating time can vary. Some experimenting with that might be needed to ensure the perfect result.

You might want to check in between the heating if the material is already solid. You don't want to burn the concrete.

Get the Solid CoRncrete Out of the Mold

Careful the material and mold can be very hot!
After getting the mold out of the microwave just pull the concrete out of the mold, or cut the mold away.

And there it is, your finished coRncrete shape!

Different Volumes? Repeat the Steps Above Using the Ingredients Ratio

You can of course make more or less concrete by using this method. Remember to use the same ratios for the ingredients:

5 x sand

1 x corn starch

0.9 x water

WARNING! when changing the amount of material the heating time in the microwave also changes! You will need to experiment with this!