KAGAKU KOGAKU RONBUNSHU, Vol.22, No.6, 1313-1317, 1996
Development of materials of ''Bekko Work'' using horn
The technical art ''Bekko'' is one of the traditional technologies in Japan, and the materials of ''Bekko'' are shells of hawksbills. However, the industry of ''Bekko Work'' has been facing a crisis recently, because the import of turtleshell is restricted. We have therefore tried to develop new materials as substitutes for the turtleshell by utilization of horn. The noteworthy aspects in this study are as follows: a) It has been clearly established that the horn could be reformed with amber color similar to that of turtleshell by chemical treatment using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). b) It is also of interest that we produced new materials like ''Bekko'' by mixing horn powder and turtleshell powder at the appropriate ratio and molding them in the temperature range of 110-120 degrees C.