A Study on the Degradability and Mechanical–Rheological Correlations of PLA/Silk Composites

High-strength biodegradable polymer composites have potential applications in a variety of biomedical applications. This study investigates the influence of silk fiber on the properties of the commonly used biodegradable polylactic acid-based composites, focusing on mechanical, rheological, morphological, and degradation characteristics. Mechanical tests revealed that the addition of 2.5 wt% silk fibers enhanced the ductility of PLA composites, increasing tensile strain at break from 7.39% for pure PLA to 11.51% for the composite. However, higher silk contents (≥10 wt%) resulted in lower elongation at breaks but higher moduli, indicating a trade-off between flexibility and the structural rigidity of the composite. Rheological tests demonstrated that the presence of silk fibers up to 7.5% improved the storage modulus, reflecting better network formation within the PLA matrix. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs illustrated improved fiber dispersion, while higher contents introduced voids and stress concentrations, adversely affecting mechanical properties. Degradation tests in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 °C showed that silk additions slowed PLA degradation, suggesting controlled degradation suitable for biomedical applications. The optimal silk fiber content for balancing mechanical integrity and flexibility was identified to be ca 7.5 wt%, providing insights into the design of PLA/silk composites for enhanced performance in practical applications.