Biodegradable Protein-Containing Elastomeric Vulcanizates

Abstract

Abstract The effects of leather powders, chrome tanned leather powders and keratin were studied on properties of the synthetic isoprene rubber IR and the microbiological decomposition of the resulting proteinous-elastomeric composites. The proteins were obtained from the waste of the leather industry. The incorporation of proteins into the mixes of synthetic 1,4-cis-polyisoprene provides increased recaptivities to microbiological decomposition.