Silk (Silkworm and Spider)
category
Silk is a natural protein fibre produced as a continuous filament by silkworms (primarily Bombyx mori - mulberry silk) and spiders, composed of fibroin protein core surrounded by sericin gum. Commercial silk production (sericulture) yields ~200,000 tonnes annually (raw silk basis) with China (60%), India (30%), and other Asian countries (10%) as major producers.
Role
The queen of natural fibres, prized for unmatched luster, smooth texture, drape, strength, and luxury aesthetics in high-end apparel, home textiles, medical sutures, and emerging biomaterial applications, commanding premium pricing $40-80/kg for raw silk, $200-800/kg for finished luxury fabrics.
Ask AI about this topic
Understand
Apply
Explore
Learn
Watch & Learn
Loading videos…
Subtopics
- Silk Types and Varieties Major silk types: Mulberry silk (Bombyx mori, 90% of production, domesticated silkworm feeding on mu…
- Sericulture and Silkworm Lifecycle Bombyx mori lifecycle: (1) egg stage (10-14 days incubation at 25°C, 60-70% RH), (2) larval stage (2…
- Silk Fibre Structure and Chemistry Silk structure: continuous filament (bave) consisting of two fibroin filaments (10-13 μm diameter ea…
- Silk Reeling and Primary Processing Reeling process: (1) cocoon sorting by quality (defect-free, uniform size/color), (2) cooking/soften…
- Silk Degumming and Finishing Degumming methods: (1) soap-alkali method (traditional, 95-98°C water with 0.3-0.5% soap and 0.1-0.2…
- Silk Physical and Mechanical Properties Properties: tenacity 3.5-5.0 g/den (dry), 2.8-4.0 g/den (wet, 20% loss, better wet strength retentio…
- Silk Dyeing and Printing Silk dyeing: acid dyes (anionic dyes, pH 2-6, 85-95°C, excellent penetration and brilliance, 60% of …
- Silk in Luxury Fashion and Apparel Fashion applications: luxury dresses and blouses (charmeuse, crepe de chine, georgette—drape, fluidi…
- Silk in Home Textiles and Furnishings Home textile applications: bedding (silk sheets, pillowcases, comforters—thermoregulation, hypoaller…
- Silk in Medical and Technical Applications Medical applications: surgical sutures (silk suture USP standard, multifilament braided, excellent h…
- Silk Sustainability and Ethical Considerations Sustainability profile: renewable (continuous production), biodegradable (6-12 months in soil), effi…