Jessica Hope Eddy
May 2020
Research Report Soap COMPOSITION: Soap is a combination of oil and caustic soda. When dissolved into water, it breaks dirt away from surfaces. PROPERTIES: Soap requires two major raw materials: fat and alkali. Alkali most commonly used today is sodium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide can also be used. Potassium-based soap creates a more water-soluble product than sodium-based soap. APPLICATION: Primarily used for cleaning purposes. ADVANTAGE: Cleanses the skin from dirt, bacteria etc. Cheap, readily available, biodegradable. DISADVANTAGE: Reduces the skin's moisture, doesn't not work in hard water. EXPERIENCE: The soap was soft enough that I could use a knife to cut it into my desired shape. My design was achieved by carving into the soap with a pencil. My design was Inspired by Henri Matisse portraits, I designed my pieces by following the form and flow of the human face.