An efficient and eco-friendly method for removing sericin using microwave-assisted steam degumming

Silk is a promising textile resource, but its degumming treatment still lacks efficient and nonpolluting methods. In this paper, an innovative silk degumming process combining microwave pre-treatment and steam degumming is introduced. When the technical parameters of microwave- steam synergistic degumming were 10 min of microwave, 120 degree celsius of steam temperature, and 30 min of steam time, the degumming efficiency of the specimen was three times of the traditional Na2CO3 degumming method, and the energy consumption was only one-half of the traditional method. In terms of time efficiency, the traditional Na2CO3 degumming took 2.75 h, while this novel method took only 0.75 h. Among the samples, the mechanical properties of the specimens treated with microwave for 10 min were the best, with the warp breaking strength of 542.20 N and the weft breaking strength of 356.19 N. Meanwhile, the hygroscopicity and air permeability were also the best compared to the traditional treating samples. This indicates that microwave-steam synergistic degumming technology is a clean technology with the advantages of high sericin degumming rate, short degumming time, low energy consumption, and no use of any chemicals. This method is conducive to achieving better and faster sustainable development.