Structure and properties of ultrafine silk fibers produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theriodopteryx ephemeraeformis</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Narendra Reddy Yiqi Yang |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Textiles, Clothing & Design, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 234, HECO Building, East Campus, Lincoln, NE 68583-0802, USA;(2) Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 234, HECO Building, East Campus, Lincoln, NE 68583-0802, USA;(3) Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 234, HECO Building, East Campus, Lincoln, NE 68583-0802, USA; |
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Abstract: | Theriodopteryx ephemeraeformis commonly known as bag worms produce ultrafine silk fibers that are remarkably different than the common domesticated (Bombyx mori) and wild (Saturniidae) silk fibers. Bag worms are considered as pests and commonly infect trees and shrubs. Although it has been known that the
cocoons (bags) produced by bag worms are composed of silk, the structure and properties of the silk fibers in the bag worm
cocoons have not been studied. In this research, the composition, morphology, physical structure, thermal stability, and tensile
properties of silk fibers produced by bag worms were studied. Bag worm silk fibers have considerably different amino acid
contents from those of the common silks. The physical structure of the bag worm silk fibers is also considerably different
compared with B. mori and common wild silk fibers. Bag worm’s silk fibers have lower tensile strength (3.2 g/denier) and Young’s modulus (45 g/denier)
but similar breaking elongation (15.3%) compared with B. mori silk. However, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of bag worm fibers are similar to those of the common Saturniidae wild silk fibers. Bag worm silk fibers could be useful for some of the applications currently using the B. mori and wild silk fibers. |
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