Biomaterials are produced by thermomoulding process based on thermoplastic
properties of myofibrillar proteins. The glass transition was observed betw
een 215 and 250 degrees C for the dry protein. Addition of water induced la
rge decreases in the glass transition temperature (Tg). Biomaterials were s
haped at temperature higher than the Tg for a given moisture content by a t
hermomoulding process. The functional properties of the biomaterials were a
ffected by temperature and water content. Hydration and temperature effects
on functional properties could be explained by the glass transition theory
. The thermodynamic theory of the glass transition (i.e. the Couchman - Kar
asz equation) was unadapted to fully describe the plasticizing effect of wa
ter on biomaterials.