| Abstract: | SUMMARIES. This work presents the results of the evaluation of carboxymethyl chitosan and chitosan acetate for the reinforcing treatment of silk embroidery threads. It is known that these substances form transparent, flexible, and air and water permeable films with moisturizing, adhesive, and antibacterial and antifungic properties. In addition, their polarity and amino character make them chemically compatible with proteins such as silk. To understand and reproduce the actual deterioration of silk embroidery threads, samples of original silk embroidered pieces were taken and analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Samples of raw Bombyx mori silk were threaded, degummed with alkali, stitched to silk fabric, artificially aged, treated with the substances and finally evaluated for colour change, pH requirements and pH changes, ultraviolet stability, adhesivity, flexibility, and capacity to improve the mechanical properties of the threads. Under tenacity tests, chitosan acetate and chitosan succinamide formed films on the yarns that highly improved its mechanical properties, even after a second artificial ageing; despite it, both substances caused minimum yellowing and chitosan acetate left slightly stiffer yarns. |
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