| link In fact, their mechanical properties can be considered above those of steel itself. Its absorbed energy at breaking point is almost two orders of magnitude higher, while its tensile strength [stress] is almost six times higher and the stresses at breaking point are equivalent. Additionally, although the Young’s modulus of steel is about three times higher than the spider-silk modulus, this last material has a much lower density. Its ratio of tensile strength to density is perhaps five times better than steel. Therefore, at equal mass, the spider silk behaves much better than steel. In conclusion, spider-silk fibers are nearly as strong as several of the current synthetic fibers and can outperform them in many applications in which total energy absorption is important.
|
