Preparation of gelatin fiber by gel spinning and its mechanical properties

A gel‐spinning process was used in an attempt to prepare a gelatin fiber with a high level of drawability. A gel fiber prepared by extrusion of 15 wt % gelatin in dimethyl sulfoxide into methanol at ?20°C was drawn to sixteen times the original length. After extraction of the dispersion medium, the mechanical strength of the fiber increased markedly with the draw ratio, and the fiber exhibited a tensile strength of 146 MPa and a Young's modulus of 2.3 GPa when drawn to the maximum. A gelatin fiber with greater mechanical strength was obtained when ethylene glycol was used as the spinning solvent. The X‐ray diffraction profile indicated the formation of triple‐helical structures and their lateral association, which is responsible for the mechanical strength of the fiber. Heat‐treatment improved the water‐resistance of the prepared fiber. γ‐Irradiation and treatment with glutaraldehyde improved the mechanical strength of the fiber. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008