Abstract: In this paper, silk was acetylated to increase its wrinkles elasticity. The structure of acetylated silk was analyzed by infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction and DSC. And the wearability was measured too. The results showed that acetylating silk could increase the wrinkles elasticity greatly. The crease recovery angle of slow and urgent respectively grew from 218°and 168 °to 210 °and 270 °. This suggested decreasing the capacity to form hydrogen bonds could increase the wrinkles elasticity of silk greatly. Infrared spectral analysis showed that the Beta-Sheet structure of the acetylated silk increased and part of amino decreased. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the degree of crystallization of the acetylated silk increased. DSC analysis showed that the acetylated silk’s decomposition temperature and thermal stability increased. At the same time, the moisture regain, whiteness and breaking strength of acetylated silk kept well. Flexual stiffness of acetylated silk was improved a little.

Key words: acetylation, silk, wrinkle elasticity, degree of crystallization, wearability