Silk

Silk is an animal derived fiber produced from silkworm. It is the only natural fiber which is found in filament form.
Fibroin is the main component of silk fiber. It is produced widely from a variety of silkworms such as the Cecropia
moth from North America, the Tussah, Muga and Eri moths from India and the Anaphe moth from Africa.
Commercially production is carried by the Mulberry Silk Moth, Bombyx Mori, the cocoon fed on mulberry.

Cultivation:
Silk moths lay eggs on specially prepared paper. The eggs hatch and the caterpillars (silkworms) are fed on
fresh mulberry leaves. After about 35 days and 4 moltings, the caterpillars are 10,000 times heavier than when
hatched and are ready to begin spinning a cocoon. A straw frame is placed over the tray of caterpillars, and each
caterpillar begins spinning a cocoon by moving its head in a pattern. Two glands produce liquid silk and force it
through openings in the head called spinnerets. Liquid silk is coated in sericin, a water-soluble protective gum, and
solidifies on contact with the air. Within 23 days, the caterpillar spins about 1 mile of filament and is completely
encased in a cocoon. The silk farmers then kill most caterpillars by heat, leaving some to metamorphose into moths
to breed the next generation of caterpillars. Harvested cocoons are then soaked in boiling water to soften the sericin
holding the silk fibers together in a cocoon shape. The fibers are then unwound to produce a continuous thread.
Since a single thread is too fine and fragile for commercial use, anywhere from three to ten strands are spun
together to form a single thread of silk.

Chemical Composition of Silk:

SL. NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.

COMPONENTS
Fibroin
Sericin
Fat and wax
Mineral salt

Structure of silk fiber:

PERCENTAGE (%)
76%
22%
1.5%
0.5%

Microscopy of silk fiber:

Cross section of raw silk is roughly elliptical. Fig. 2 shows that triangular twin fibroin
filaments, covered by sericin, face each other. The beauty, softness and luster of silk
are due to the triangular cross section of the silk filament. After degumming process,
twin fibroin filaments separates into individual filaments giving finer and more
lustrous fiber. It lacks longitudinal features along the longitudinal-section.

Fig 2: Cross section of silk fiber [1].

Appearance:
Silk filaments are 600-1700 m long and diameter ranges from 12-30 m depending upon the health, diet and state
under which the silk larvae extruded the silk filaments. So fiber length to breadth ratio is 2000:1. It is off-white to
yellow in color.

Physical Properties of Silk:

NO.

PARAMETERS

VALUE/ RESULTS

1.
2.

Tenacity(g/den)
Elongation at break

2.4-5.1 gm per denier

20-25%

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Shrinkage (Wet)
Moisture Regain
Specific Gravity
Rigidity Modulus
Color

0.9%
11%
1.3
2.5
Off-White to yellow

Chemical Properties of Silk:

No.

PARAMETERS

VALUES/RESULTS

1.

Effect of Acids

2.

Effect of Alkali

3.
4.

Organic Solvent
Effect Of Oxidizing Agent

5.

Effect Of Reducing Agent

6.

Color Fastness

Concentrated sulphuric acid and hydrochloric

acid will dissolve the fiber and nitric acid result in
change of color of silk. Dilute acid do not attack
the fiber under mild condition.
Hot caustic alkalis readily dissolve the fiber.
Weak alkalis attack fibroin when the treatment
time at boiling point is prolonged.
Do not dissolve the silk fiber
Silk fiber is susceptible to oxidizing agents.
Therefore care is required during bleaching.
Fibroin resists the reducing agents such as
hydrosulphite, sulphurous acid and its salt.
The luster of silk will cause its dyed and printed
silk textile materials to appear much brighter in
color.

Reaction of Silk to the burning test:

No
.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Methods
Approaching Flame
In Flame
Removed from Flame
Odor
Residue

Results
Curls away from flame
Burns, melts slowly and sputters
Self- extinguishing
Smells like burning hair
Crushable, round, shiny black bead

Advantages of silk:

Silk is highly absorbent and dries quickly. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without
feeling damp. Silk will absorb perspiration while letting your skin breathe.
In spite of its delicate appearance, silk is relatively robust and its smooth surface resists soil and odors
well.
While silk abrasion resistance is moderate, it is the strongest natural fiber and, surprisingly, it easily
competes with steel yarn in tensile strength.
Silk takes color well, washes easily, and is easy to work with in spinning, weaving, knitting, and sewing.
Silk mixes well with other animal and vegetable fibers.

Disadvantages of silk:
Fair abrasion and resiliency
Turns yellow if bleached
Poor resistance to exposed sunlight
Expensive
Degrades over time with exposure to oxygen, making it difficult to preserve

Applications of fiber :

Property of silk to absorb water easily makes it comfortable to wear and hence widely used for clothing.
Its attractive luster and drape makes it appropriate for applications such as home furnishing.
It has potential to use as biomedical application as surgical sutures as it doesnt cause inflammatory
reactions and biodegradable micro-tubes for repair of blood vessels.
Apart from these it is used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and dietary applications.