Fabrication of Sericin/Polyurethane Fabrics With Enhanced <scp>UV</scp> Resistance via Wet‐Spinning Method

ABSTRACT Sericin (SPS), a major protein waste generated in large quantities by the silk textile industry, remains significantly underutilized within the textile sector. To address this gap, this study simultaneously targets the inherent limitations of polyurethane (PU) fibers, which include poor water absorption and a lack of UV protection. We propose a high‐value strategy based on the integration of SPS with PU. Sericin/polyurethane (SPS/PU) composite fibers were fabricated via wet‐spinning, and their microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal stability, water absorption, and UV protection performance were systematically characterized. Results showed that the incorporation of SPS introduced an internal porous structure, which significantly enhanced water absorption. At 40 wt.% SPS content, the composite fibers retained good tensile strength of 1.27 cN/dtex and strain of 1004.71%. Fabrics woven from these fibers achieved an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) &gt; 40 and UVA transmittance &lt; 5%, meeting standards for rated UV‐protective textiles. This work demonstrates a viable and sustainable material strategy to transform textile bio‐waste into high‐performance multifunctional fibers, effectively combining enhanced functionality with resource circularity.