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The Effect of Microwave Radiation on Tensile Properties of Silkworm (B. mori) Silk

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Emily J. Reed  and
Christopher Viney
Emily J. Reed
Affiliation:
School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road Merced, CA 95343, U.S.A.
Christopher Viney
Affiliation:
School of Engineering, University of California at Merced, 5200 North Lake Road Merced, CA 95343, U.S.A.
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Abstract

We have developed a reproducible protocol for studying the effect of microwave radiation on the mechanical behavior of Bombyx mori cocoon silk. In the course of this work, we identified multiple improvements that can be made to ASTM F 1317-98, the standard according to which microwave oven power output is calibrated.

Exposure to microwaves does not significantly affect mechanical properties of silkworm silk, if samples are kept in a desiccator after degumming (or after degumming and microwaving) and prior to testing in a dry environment. This finding contrasts with previous work in which samples were not kept in a desiccator, and were tested in a relatively humid environment.

Because the effect of microwave radiation on the mechanical behavior of silk is sensitive to ambient moisture, meaningful comparison or pooling of test results acquired in different laboratories is contingent on standardization of both the sample storage environment and the environment in which samples are tested. Interpretation of the extensive existing literature on silk mechanical properties must take account of the reality that the sample storage and testing environments are not standardized and are usually not reported.

Keywords

biologicalfiberstress/strain relationship
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1301: Symposium V/NN/OO/PP – Soft Matter, Biological Materials and Biomedical Materials—Synthesis, Characterization and Applications , 2011 , mrsf10-1301-oo12-01
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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References

REFERENCES

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