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Mechanically Reinforced Silkworm Silk Fiber by Hot Stretching.
Haojie Lu1, Kailun Xia1, Muqiang Jian1
1Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
Research (Washington, D.C.)
|April 21, 2022
Summary
Researchers reinforced silkworm silk fibers using a hot stretching process. This treatment significantly improved the silk
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Silkworm silk (Bombyx mori) is a scalable natural fiber.
- Its mechanical properties are inferior to spider dragline silk.
- Reinforcement strategies are needed to enhance silkworm silk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile and scalable method for reinforcing silkworm silk.
- To improve the mechanical properties of silkworm silk fibers.
Main Methods:
- A hot stretching process was applied to natural silk fibers from silkworm cocoons.
- Characterization of chemical components, β-sheet nanocrystal content, and crystalline orientation.
- Mechanical testing including modulus and tensile strength measurements.
Main Results:
- Hot-stretched silk fibers (HSSFs) retained original chemical components.
- Increased β-sheet nanocrystal content and crystalline orientation were observed.
- Average modulus increased to 21.6 ± 2.8 GPa (nearly double pristine silk).
- Tensile strength increased to 0.77 ± 0.13 GPa (higher than pristine silk).
Conclusions:
- Hot stretching is an effective and efficient method for producing superstiff, strong, and tough silkworm silk fibers.
- This approach shows potential for reinforcing other natural or artificial polymer fibers and films.
