Abstract
The samples of silk fibroin were heated for different hours (2-8 hours) and different temperatures (100-160°C) in the air at the unloaded or loaded states, and then the observation was made mainly on the change of surface structure with the electron microscope and on the variation of its physical properties accompanying the dry thermal process.
The development of flattening, upheaving, thin layers and porosity were observed with the rise of temperature under dry heat treatment, suggesting the contraction and destruction due to decomposition.
The change of physical properties showed that a gradual destruction is caused at 120-140°C and the destruction is more significant in unloaded than in loaded areas.
