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Engineering Properties of Spider Silk

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Abstract

Motivated by the high level of strength and toughness of spider silk and its multifunctional nature, this paper reports on the engineering properties of individual fibers from Nephila Clavipes spider drag line under uniaxial tension, transverse compression and torsional deformation. The tensile properties were compared to the Argiope Aurentia spider silk and show different ultimate strength but similar traits of the unusual combination of strength and toughness characterized by a sigmoidal stress-strain curve. A high level of torsional stability is demonstrated. comparing favorably to other aramid fibers (including Kevlar fibers).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fibrous Materials Research Center, Department of Materials Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Frank K. Ko

  2. Department of Materials Sciences, University of Shiga Prefecture, Shiga, Japan

    Sueo Kawabata

  3. Nara Women University, Nara, Japan

    Mari Inoue, Masako Niwa & John W. Song

  4. US. Army Natick Research and Development, Engineering Center, Natick, MA., USA

    Stephen Fossey

Authors
  1. Frank K. Ko
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  2. Sueo Kawabata
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  3. Mari Inoue
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  4. Masako Niwa
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  5. Stephen Fossey
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  6. John W. Song
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Ko, F.K., Kawabata, S., Inoue, M. et al. Engineering Properties of Spider Silk. MRS Online Proceedings Library 702, 141 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-702-U1.4.1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-702-U1.4.1

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