Some material characteristics of spider silk Online publication date: Sat, 19-Jul-2003
by E. Van Nimmen, P. Kiekens, J. Mertens
International Journal of Materials and Product Technology (IJMPT), Vol. 18, No. 4/5/6, 2003
Abstract: Today, spider silk tantalises a range of researchers who focus on the unusual properties of spider silk. Investigators are developing ways to produce dragline silk in quantities that are applicable in several fields, including medical textiles. Spiders indeed produce a wide range of silks with surprisingly different properties that are thoroughly being examined. To conclude, an experimental section presents the results obtained from experiments at Ghent University. SEM has shown that draglines are composed of several thicker and thinner fibres that stick together, whereas in cocoon silk this composite structure is not observed. The effect of time and the effect of natural weathering conditions are investigated for respectively dragline and cocoon silk. Tenacity and elongation at break are not influenced by time for dragline silk. Exposure of cocoon silk to UV-light and humidity results in a less elastic, a less strong fibre, and appears to lower the stiffness a little bit.
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