Patent GB-510875-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the production of films, coatings, fibres, and other shaped structures from aqueous compositions containing protein material
IPC: D01F4/00
Filed: 1938-01-07
Abstract: 510,875. Films, coatings, fibres, and other shaped structures. SEDDON, R. V., MCLEAN, A.,and IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, Ltd. Jan. 7, 1938, No. 564. [Class 70] [Also in Groups III and IV] A process for the manufacture of films, coatings, fibres and other shaped structures consists in incorporating a latex of a plastic polymer of an unsaturated compound with an aqueous alkaline or saline solution of a hardenable protein comprising vegetable seed globulin, shaping the mixed composition to the desired form, and submitting the shaped structure to a treatment adapted to coagulate the polymer and to harden the protein. Examples of suitable polymers are natural rubber, polymerized butadiene, Neoprene, and polymerized alkyl ester of acrylic or a methyl acrylic acid. The protein may be ground-nut protein. The solution of protein may be subjected to treatment to denature or degenerate it, for example a quantity of urea may be included in the solution. A mixture of different proteins may be used and also a mixture of different latices, for example latices of Neoprene and vulcanized rubber. In examples-( 1 ) 240 gm. of the alkali soluble protein from ground-nuts are made into a paste with 15 litres of water and 600 cc. of 5 per cent. ammonia are added. The mixture is stirred until a clear solution is obtained. 4-5 litres of water are added and the solution is mixed with 10 litres of Neoprene latex containing 45 per cent. of Neoprene. The mixture is repeatedly passed through an emulsifying machine until a thin homogeneous emulsion is obtained. It is centrifuged to free it from bubbles and cast on glass plates into a film, at 35‹-40‹C. After a few hours the film, on the support, is immersed for one hour in 40 per cent. formaldehyde solution. The film is then stripped and hung up to dry at 35‹-40‹C. (2) A paste made from 11 gm. of the alkali-soluble protein from groundnuts and 20 gm. water is diluted with a further 20 gm. water and 7 gm. urea are added. The paste becomes thicker. 5 cc. of 5 per cent. aqueous ammonia solution are added and on stirring a very thick slimy solution of protein is formed. 15 cc. of ammonical Neoprene latex (containing 7.4 gm. of Neoprene) are mixed in and the mixture is passed through an emulsifier several times. The mixture is stored at 35‹- 40‹ for 16 hours and is then extruded at 15‹-20‹C. from a single-hole spinneret into a bath containing 20 per cent. by weight of sulphuric acid and 9 per cent. of formaldehyde. The fibres are washed and dried. They contain 60 per cent. protein and 40 per cent. Neoprene and in stiffness and elasticity the cut fibres are similar to pig's bristles. (3) 44 gm. of the alkali-soluble protein from ground nuts are made into a paste with 160 cc. of water and 20 cc. of 5 per cent. ammonia are added. To this solution 28 gm. of urea are added and 50 cc. of a methyl acrylate dispersion containing 40 per cent. of methyl acrylate. The mixture is passed through an emulsifier several times and is heated at 35‹C. for 16 hours. The composition is spun into fibres by extrusion from a single-hole spinneret into a 20 per cent. sulphuric acid bath, and the fibres are hardened in formalin and washed. They contain 70 per cent. of protein and 30 per cent. of polymerized methyl acrylate and resemble pig's bristles. Other examples are given. Specification 387,340 is referred to.