this post was submitted on 29 Mar 2024
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As a former ceramic artist I would be very wary of this solution. Bone dry clay is way too fragile to survive transportation unless very carefully packed. Potentially an air dry paper clay could work but even then it isn't very durable.
As you mentioned in your comment, the minute bone dry clay touches liquid it starts to slake down. So you would end up with clay mush in your food and the structure would start to fall apart.
Additionally, silica dust from bone dry clay is really bad for you. Probably not very likely to effect the occasional consumer but people interacting with it often would be at an elevated risk for lung issues.
Interesting, I was under the impression that clay was inert when ingested.
The transportation and dust would be lessened from the printing process if it were done by the individual, but if what you say is true, then the whole idea is worthless unless there's an alternative material available.
Most clay is likely safe to ingest. However the willingness of customers to ingest clay may vary and the quantity of clay may impart a flavor on the product.
I'm also not sold on the printing process. Ceramic is strongest when the clay platelets are aligned and in a 3d printing process there are many layers. Each of the layers introduces a weak point that is likely to crack in drying or use. Ceramics already have quite efficient methods for production primarily slipcasting and extrusion. In these methods pieces are formed without "joins".
I'm also not convinced printing it at home would be feasible for mass production/adoption.
That being said it is an interesting idea. I think you could probably make single use, unglazed, low-fire ware like Indian Bhar. Which could get recycled into aggregate. Firing adds emissions back into the process though and I'm not sure where that ranks compared to something with an existing supply chain like paper alternatives.
I am talking about though is SLA printing though- resin printing, but without the resin, basically.
Which is why I think its more feasible than just extrusion printing on principle. The layers are incredibly thin, with no extrusion involved, and no exposure to air until well after the layers are formed.
Hmm, that's interesting. I'd be curious in how that would be cured and how the layers would stick together. Plaster might be interesting too since it has a faster setting period than clay.