Spider Silk – Providing New Insights in the Field of High Performance Materials

Abstract

Despite being spun at ambient temperatures and pressures the excellent tensile and elongational properties of spider silk makes it very useful. A recent insight into the wonderful spinning process of the spider throws new light on the research on fibers. This article tries to overview the research in the last decade stressing on the interesting spinning and drawing techniques of the spider and some of its tensile and thermal properties, which makes the fiber unique. The recent characterizing techniques used to investigate spider silk have been discussed in depth and the future areas of research outlined.