Physical Characterization of Eri Silk Fibers Produced in Kenya

ABSTRACT

Eri silk produced in Kenya was characterized for sericin content, moisture content, surface morphology, thermal properties, functional groups, crystallinity, and single fiber tensile strength. It was found that Kenyan Eri silk possesses comparable physical properties to those of commercial silk producing countries. At a degummed tensile strength of 6.81cN, Kenyan Eri silk had comparable strength despite having low crystallinity (29.2%). This is an indication that on optimizing rearing procedures and practices of Eri silkworms to certain regions of Kenyan environment, better quality silk fibers can be produced that are competitive in the world market.

摘要

肯尼亚生产的ERI丝具有丝胶含量、含水量、表面形态、热性能、官能团、结晶度和单纤维拉伸强度等特点. 结果表明，肯尼亚埃里丝绸具有与商业丝绸生产国相当的物理性能.在6.81cN的脱胶拉伸强度下，肯尼亚埃里丝绸尽管结晶度较低（29.2%），但强度相当.这表明，在肯尼亚环境的某些地区，通过优化埃里蚕种的饲养程序和实践，可以生产出在世界市场上具有竞争力的优质蚕丝.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fiber
• Silk
• Kenyan Eri Silk
• Fiber characterization

关键词：:

• 天然纤维、丝绸、肯尼亚伊利丝，纤维特性

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Fund (NRF) Kenya [Postgraduate Research Grant 2016].