Solution spinning and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/soybean protein blend fibers

Soybean protein/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend fibers were processed using wet spinning, after modifying the protein solution by thermal denaturation without alkali. Dynamic mechanical properties as well as scanning electron microscopy studies suggest compatibility between PVA and soybean protein. The effect of crosslinking agent, crosslinking time, and heat-treatment temperature on the mechanical properties of blend fibers was studied. The soy-bean protein fibers or the blend fibers containing less than 40% PVA were unoriented amorphous, whereas the blend fibers containing more than 40% PVA exhibited the crystalline structure of PVA. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.