17 Facts About Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles.

Silk is produced by several insects; but, generally, only the silk of moth caterpillars has been used for textile manufacturing.

Silk is mainly produced by the larvae of insects undergoing complete metamorphosis, but some insects, such as webspinners and raspy crickets, produce silk throughout their lives.

Silk was in great demand, and became a staple of pre-industrial international trade.

Silk was used as a surface for writing, especially during the Warring States period.

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Silk is described in a chapter of the Fan Shengzhi shu from the Western Han.

Silk fabric is soaked in extremely cold water and bleached before dyeing to remove the natural yellow coloring of Thai silk yarn.

Silk was produced in and exported from the province of Granada, Spain, especially the Alpujarras region, until the Moriscos, whose industry it was, were expelled from Granada in 1571.

Silk has a smooth, soft texture that is not slippery, unlike many synthetic fibers.

Silk is a poor conductor of electricity and thus susceptible to static cling.

Silk has a high emissivity for infrared light, making it feel cool to the touch.

Silk resists most mineral acids, except for sulfuric acid, which dissolves it.

Silk's absorbency makes it comfortable to wear in warm weather and while active.

Silk is excellent for insect-proof clothing, protecting the wearer from mosquitoes and horseflies.

Silk had many industrial and commercial uses, such as in parachutes, bicycle tires, comforter filling, and artillery gunpowder bags.

Silk began to serve as a biomedical material for sutures in surgeries as early as the second century CE.

Silk fibroin contains hydrophobic beta sheet blocks, interrupted by small hydrophilic groups.