Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Properties of Natural Silk Non-woven Fabrics from Different Silkworm Varieties

Natural silk non-woven fabrics from different silkworm varieties were fabricated on a large scale, and the influence of silkworm variety and process parameters upon the preparation, structure, and properties of the resulting non-woven was examined. In relation to productivity, the reel-ability of the silk cocoon was found to be strongly affected by the silkworm variety and the highest reeling length was achieved with the silk of Hanbyul. However, the influence of silkworm variety upon the crystallinity, morphology, porosity, moisture regain, and mechanical properties of the silk non-woven fabric was insignificant. Instead, the structure and properties of the silk non-woven fabric were more strongly influenced by the reeling bath temperature and hot press treatment. In detail, the reel-ability increased with increasing reeling bath temperature of up to 50 degrees C, thereafter remaining constant with further increase in temperature. Moreover, while showing a slight dependence on silkworm variety, the porosity, mechanical properties, and moisture regain of the fabrics were more strongly influenced by the press temperature. In conclusion, it was found that silk non-woven fabrics with various properties could be manufactured by careful selection of both the silkworm variety and the process parameters of reeling bath temperature and press temperature.