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Comparative Study
. 2005 Feb;16(2):199-206.
doi: 10.1140/epje/e2005-00021-2. Epub 2005 Feb 22.

Predicting the mechanical properties of spider silk as a model nanostructured polymer

D Porter  1 , F Vollrath, Z Shao
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Predicting the mechanical properties of spider silk as a model nanostructured polymer

D Porter et al. Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2005 Feb.

Abstract

Spider silk is attractive because it is strong and tough. Moreover, an enormous range of mechanical properties can be achieved with only small changes in chemical structure. Our research shows that the full range of thermo-mechanical properties of silk fibres can be predicted from mean field theory for polymers in terms of chemical composition and the degree of order in the polymer structure. Thus, we can demonstrate an inherent simplicity at a macromolecular level in the design principles of natural materials. This surprising observation allows in depth comparison of natural with man-made materials.

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