Making Casein PLastic

Make Casein Plastic

Casein is a plastic that is made from milk. It was one of the first plastics ever made and was used for making things like buttons.

What you need:

An adult to help you

2/3 of a cup of milk

8 teaspoons of vinegar

a pot

a plate

a stirring spoon

What you do:

Pour the milk into the pot and get an adult to help you bring it gently to the boil. When the milk begins to steam and bubble, dribble in the vinegar, stirring the milk all the time. You will see lumps begin to form.

When the little lumps clump together to make a big solid lump get the adult to pour off the liquid and then tip your casein plastic lump onto a plate.

When it cools a little bit mould it into a shape, like a button then leave it to harden over night.

You’ll end up with hard casein plastic. The first plastic that was ever invented - it’s a bit different from the plastic we’re used to!