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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #158954
Title: THERMALLY PROCESSED KERATIN FILMS

Author
item Barone, Justin
item Schmidt, Walter

Submitted to: American Physical Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/23/2004
Publication Date: 3/23/2004
Citation: Barone, J.R., Schmidt, W.F. 2004. Thermally processed keratin films [abstract]. American Physical Society. Paper No. L31.008.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Keratin obtained from poultry feathers is blended with 'OH containing second phases. Films are prepared by pressing the blended keratin at temperatures concurrent with typical polymer processing temperatures. The films are completely cohesive as opposed to partially cohesive if pressed under the same conditions without blending. The films are 'tough,' and the mechanical properties show similarities to the properties of commercially available commodity thermoplastics. The keratin films are produced in a few minutes without reducing or oxidizing agents. The mobility of the keratin chains during blending is shown to relate to the serine (S), threonine (T), and tyrosine (Y) contents in the amino acid sequence relative to cystine (C).