CHAPTER 11. Silk Fibre Composites

Silk as a reinforcement in polymer matrix composites

“…The mechanical properties of silk fibers consist of a combination of high strength, extensibility, and compressibility (Eshkoor et al, 2013a;Perez-rigueiro et al, 1998;Wongpanit et al, 2012). Silks are fibrous proteins, which are spun into fibers by a variety of insects and spiders.…”

“…Recently, silkworm silk has received great interest as a filling material in composites (Wongpanit et al, 2012;Perez-Rigueiro et al, 2002;. Recently, silkworm silk has received great interest as a filling material in composites (Wongpanit et al, 2012;Perez-Rigueiro et al, 2002;.…”

“…It also contains small quantities of carbohydrates, wax, and organic compounds (Wongpanit et al, 2012;Ho et al, 2012). Alanine, glycine, tyrosine, and sericin are the four major amino acids, which make up 80% of the silk protein.…”

“…The most important factors for the improvement of mechanical properties in silk composites are good interaction and good dispersion of fiber in the matrix (Wongpanit et al, 2012;Ude et al, 2014). The interactions between polymer matrix and fiber can be developed by various treatments of silk fiber.…”

“…Silk fiber-reinforced PLA composites show good thermal stability and crystallization (Cheung et al, 2008). This negative effect became more dominant in the nonisothermal crystallization compared with isothermal crystallization (Wongpanit et al, 2012). The silk fiber-reinforced PCL composite was prepared by melt mixing.…”