Can I read Spider Silk Aging: Initial Improvement in a High Performance Material Followed by Slow Degradation on EtoBox?

Spider Silk Aging: Initial Improvement in a High Performance Material Followed by Slow Degradation by Ingi Agnarsson; Cecilia Boutry; Todd A. Blackledge is a Environmental Science article available to read on EtoBox.

What is Spider Silk Aging: Initial Improvement in a High Performance Material Followed by Slow Degradation about?

## Abstract Spider silk possesses a unique combination of high tensile strength and elasticity resulting in extraordinarily tough fibers, compared with the best synthetic materials. However, the potential application of spider silk and biomimetic fibers depends upon retention of their high performance under a variety of conditions. Here, we report on changes in the mechanical properties of dragline and capture silk fibers from several spider species over periods up to 4 years of benign aging. We find an improvement in mechanical performance of silk fibers during the first year of aging. Fibers rapidly decrease in diameter, suggesting an increase in structural alignment and organization of molecules. One‐year old silk also is stiffer and has higher stress at yield than fresh silk, whereas breaking force, elasticity, and toughness either improve or are unaffected by early aging. However, 4‐year old silk shows signs of degradation as the breaking load, elasticity, and toughness are all lower than in fresh silk. Aging, however, does not reduce the tensile strength of silk. These data suggest initially rapid reorganization and tighter packaging of molecules within the fiber, followed by

Who reads Spider Silk Aging: Initial Improvement in a High Performance Material Followed by Slow Degradation?

Author

Ingi Agnarsson; Cecilia Boutry; Todd A. Blackledge

Publisher

Wiley (John Wiley & Sons); John Wiley & Sons Inc.; Wiley (ISSN 1932-5223)

Published

2008

Language

EN

Field

Environmental Science (Life Sciences)