Effect of hot press time on the structure characteristics and mechanical properties of silk non-woven fabric

In this research, the silk web was hot-pressed for various times, the effect of press time on the structure and mechanical properties of silk non-woven fabric was also investigated. The yellowing appeared in the silk non-woven fabric and became more apparent as press time was increased. The crystallinity of silk was decreased by the hot press treatment and it did not change significantly with an increase of hot press time. The porosity of silk non-woven fabric was constantly decreased until 120 s and it did not change much after that. The thickness of silk non-woven fabric was significantly decreased by a press time of 10 s and slightly decreased with a further increase of hot press time. The hot press treatment increased the maximum stress and elongation of silk non-woven fabrics. The press time had a significant impact on the mechanical properties of silk non-woven fabric, with 90 s being the optimum condition for the best work of rupture of silk non-woven fabric.