- Strength
- Thermal Conductivity
- Electrical Conductivity
- Hardness (Synthetic Silk)
- Solubility
- Boiling Point, Melting Point, Viscosity
Strength
Silk is one of the strongest natural fibres because it is 45% glycine (Lancashire, 2011). Because glycine is the smallest amino acid, the fibres can pack very tightly, creating strong bonds and resistance (Lancashire, 2011). The strongest bonds are the hydrogen bonds because they do not break readily (Lancashire, 2011).
When silk is wet, it loses 20% of its strength (Lancashire, 2011).
When silk is exposed to sunlight, it becomes very fragile (Panda, 2010). Synthetic silk is known to break when it is exposed to sunlight over longer periods of time (Panda, 2010). Silk is the most sensitive fiber to light damage (Panda, 2010).
Silk is one of the strongest natural fibres because it is 45% glycine (Lancashire, 2011). Because glycine is the smallest amino acid, the fibres can pack very tightly, creating strong bonds and resistance (Lancashire, 2011). The strongest bonds are the hydrogen bonds because they do not break readily (Lancashire, 2011).
When silk is wet, it loses 20% of its strength (Lancashire, 2011).
When silk is exposed to sunlight, it becomes very fragile (Panda, 2010). Synthetic silk is known to break when it is exposed to sunlight over longer periods of time (Panda, 2010). Silk is the most sensitive fiber to light damage (Panda, 2010).
Thermal Conductivity
The thermal conductivity of silk is quite poor when comparing it to other natural fibers (Panda, 2010). Since the heat capacity is much higher than other fibers, the thermal conductivity is very low (Panda, 2010).
Because silk has such a high heat capacity, silk (as clothing) stays much cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter (Panda, 2010).
The thermal conductivity of silk is quite poor when comparing it to other natural fibers (Panda, 2010). Since the heat capacity is much higher than other fibers, the thermal conductivity is very low (Panda, 2010).
Because silk has such a high heat capacity, silk (as clothing) stays much cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter (Panda, 2010).
Electrical Conductivity
Similar to thermal conductivity, silk is also a poor electrical conductor (Panda, 2010). Although it is very resistant, it is most resistant when it is extremely dry (Panda, 2010).
Because it is a poor conductor, it is used in electrical wires as an insulator (Panda, 2010).
Similar to thermal conductivity, silk is also a poor electrical conductor (Panda, 2010). Although it is very resistant, it is most resistant when it is extremely dry (Panda, 2010).
Because it is a poor conductor, it is used in electrical wires as an insulator (Panda, 2010).
Hardness
Testing the hardness of silk is a difficult task because the substance is very thin (N.A., 1918). Silk used in clothing can be tested for hardness by twisting the threads (N.A., 1918). The smaller the number of twists required to break the silk, the harder the silk is (N.A., 1918). As the hardness of silk increases, the price also increases (N.A., 1918).
Testing the hardness of silk is a difficult task because the substance is very thin (N.A., 1918). Silk used in clothing can be tested for hardness by twisting the threads (N.A., 1918). The smaller the number of twists required to break the silk, the harder the silk is (N.A., 1918). As the hardness of silk increases, the price also increases (N.A., 1918).
Solubility
Silk is a strong fiber when it is dry but when it becomes damp, it loses its strength. Each part of silk, fibroin and secirin, has different solubility in different substances (Karmakar, 1999).
Silk is a strong fiber when it is dry but when it becomes damp, it loses its strength. Each part of silk, fibroin and secirin, has different solubility in different substances (Karmakar, 1999).
Fibroin
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Secirin
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Boiling Point/Melting Point/Viscosity
Each of these physical properties of silk are quite high because the intermolecular forces are very strong. Because silk contains london dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces and hydrogen bonds, there are multiple intermolecular forces. As the strength of intermolecular forces increase, the boiling point, melting point and viscosity increase which is why silk would have high boiling and melting points as well as viscosity.
Each of these physical properties of silk are quite high because the intermolecular forces are very strong. Because silk contains london dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces and hydrogen bonds, there are multiple intermolecular forces. As the strength of intermolecular forces increase, the boiling point, melting point and viscosity increase which is why silk would have high boiling and melting points as well as viscosity.