Upcycling fibroin-rich silk waste from silk-sheet farming: Chemical-free post-degumming mechanical valorization strategy for textile upcycling

Information from the abstract

This study investigates the mechanical upcycling of degummed fibroin-rich silk waste fibers generated following sericin extraction through chemical-free mechanical post-processing, including fiber opening, spinning, and fabric manufacturing. A tilt-barb pre-carding system was implemented to facilitate fiber opening, separation, and processability, requiring an additional energy demand of 110 kWh per ton. Qualitative observations showed a more open and aligned fiber-web morphology following tilt-barb pre-carding, enabling subsequent carding. The treated fibers exhibited suitable mechanical properties, while SEM observations revealed well-separated filaments with no obvious continuous surface coating. Among the yarns evaluated, the 30/2 Ne plied yarn showed relatively high tenacity and elongation together with the lowest measured unevenness. Among the specific fabric constructions tested, differences were observed in compactness, tensile properties, and pilling resistance. The 30/2 Ne plied plain fabric exhibited the highest measured warp tensile strength (692.64 ± 2.55 N) and elongation (56.33 ± 1.16%). These results represent comparisons among the tested constructions and do not isolate the independent effects of yarn count, plying, or weave structure. Collectively, these findings suggest that chemical-free post-degumming mechanical upcycling provides a practical approach for transforming fibroin-rich silk waste into value-added textile products, with the potential to support waste valorization, improve resource efficiency, and contribute to circular textile manufacturing for more sustainable textile production.

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This record has an Impact Signal of 71/100 based on recency, source, collaboration, and bibliographic signals. It prioritizes monitoring and is not a judgment of research quality.

Related topics: Silk-based biomaterials and applications · Dyeing and Modifying Textile Fibers · Insect Utilization and Effects