Milk Plastic 🥛👩‍🔬

Hello Everyone!

Today in Chemistry, Science I learn't how to make milk plastic. Milk plastic is also known as casein. Bellow this small description is the process.

Aim:  I want to find out how to turn milk into plastic. 

Method:

Equipment: 

• Stove, Oven or Microwave
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoon (tsp).
• Milk (1 cup)
• Pot or microwaveable container 
• White vinegar 
• Paper towels
• Spoon
• Mug
• Food colouring, glitter or cookie cutters (optional, for decor)

Instructions:

1. Get all equipment required 
2. Pour 1 cup of milk into a pot or microwavable container.
3. Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stove until steaming.
4. Add 4 teaspoons of white vinegar to a mug.
5. Add the hot milk to the mug with the vinegar.
6. Stir the mixture of the milk and vinegar with a spoon.
7. Stack 4 layers of papers towels on a surface that is safe to get damp. 
8. Scoop out the curds with a spoon and place them on the paper towels.
9. Fold the paper towels over the curds and press down to absorb the excess liquid.
10. Knead all the curds together into a ball of dough.
11. Colour, shape or mold the dough as you like. You can colour your dough with food colouring ( optional)
12. Put all of your creations on a paper towel and let them dry overnight.
13. Now you have your plastic!

What is caesin? What is it used for?

• Caesin is the main part of milk mostly known as protein. 
• Caesin is used in most dairy products.  It can also be used in processed food. 

Results:

Before left over night:

After left over night:

                        

                                 

What happened?

I noticed that my milk plastic shrunk after letting it stay on a paper towel over night. It became hard and grew mold onto the bottom due to leaving the plastic on the paper for longer than a night.  The colour had also changed it became a tan colour but more of a really light yellow. 

Thank you for reading my post!

Have you ever made milk plastic before?