New textile material—spider silk fiber

Abstract

Environmental protection and sustainable development are two important topics that draw great concern to the world since various synthetic polymer textile materials have caused environmental pollution to the earth, thus, we need to find new and environmentally friendly materials. Spider silk belongs to polymer material that enjoys favorable reproducibility. Besides, its physical and chemical properties are superior to silk fibers, other natural fibers and most synthetic fibers. Its surface is smooth and soft, lustrous and sheen, it also possesses the characteristics of low temperature resistance, strong tenacity, high intensity, high elasticity, high density and fracture resistance which can be applied to body armors, medical sutures, costumes, etc. As a new kind of textile material, spider silk is environmentally friendly which may bring infinite potential.