2014 Volume 22 Pages 125-131
We compared the characteristics of fabric made of raw silk from Gokuboso 1 silkworm cocoons, which have superfine filaments, with those of fabric from silk of the standard silkworm Syunrei×Shogetsu (SRG). We investigated the fabrics' mechanical, hydrophilic, and thermal properties. The Gokuboso fabric typically displayed reductions in bending rigidity, coefficient of friction, and geometrical roughness, lower moisture content, and greater water vapor permeability than the SRG fabric. No significant difference was noted between the two with regard to evaporative heat resistance, but the dry heat resistance and k value of the Gokuboso fabric were greater than those of the SRG one. These results suggested that the Gokuboso fabric would be cooler in summer and warmer in winter than the SRG.
