I saw a programme years ago that reported that the japanese were working on synthetic polymers derived from soya protein. Does anyone know anything about this or am I going to be murdered by Esso!?
2006-07-10 10:57:43 · 3 answers · asked by hooverhumper22 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
there are several "plastics" routinely made from "biosources" such as soybean oil or wood (or rubber tree sap)
so far, none of these have been very cost-effective or useful for most applications (so esso, which is now part of exxon, probably doesn't care)
2006-07-10 11:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by enginerd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, they (used to????) make billiard balls out of casein, so I reckon soya protein would be usable too.
They used to make casein into white paint, too. Mum said that was why our bathroom ceiling was bedevilled by mildew all the time, when I was young. I thought it must have been a really silly ingredient to use, but I guess they had to improvise, in those days; during World War II, and for many years afterwards, there were shortages of many industrial products.
2006-07-10 18:05:21 · answer #2 · answered by J_F_(Self Service Science Forum) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about plastic from soybeans, but they DO make fibers from soy beans that can be spun into yarn....because I have some. It's cool...
2006-07-10 18:03:27 · answer #3 · answered by madamspinner2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋