THERMAL ANALYSIS OF SERICIN

Thermal properties of sericin have been studied by means of DSC method. The results obtained are summarized as follows:1. Soluble sericin with a low crystallinity gave a DSC curve where an endothermic main peak and a shoulder were observed at ca. 220°C to 230°C and ca. 250°C, respectively. The soluble sericin became highly crystalline by swelling in water and gradually drying. The crystalline sericin obtained showed a main peak at ca. 250°C and a shoulder at ca. 220 to 230°C on the DSC curve, subsequently the solubility of the specimen decreased remarkably, i. e. hardly soluble or insoluble sericin.2. It has been found from the DSC analysis that quickly dried sericin was a soluble type and gradually dried one was a insoluble type.3. The insoluble part of sericin in water found to be an insoluble type of sericin in cocoon filament.