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Finding inspiration in argiope trifasciata spider silk fibers

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Abstract

The outstanding mechanical properties of silk fibers from the spider Argiope trifasciata are reviewed in this article, particularly the tensile behavior under controlled humidity and temperature. Samples obtained by forced silking showed a remarkable reproducibility. A novel procedure, wet stretching, developed by the authors, promises to shed light on the spinning of artificial silk fibers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Materials Science Department, the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

    Manuel Elices (professor of materials science and department head), Gustavo V. Guinea (a professor, president), José Pérez-Rigueiro (associate professor) & Gustavo R. Plaza (assistant professor)

  2. the Spanish Structural Integrity Society, Spain

    Gustavo V. Guinea (a professor, president)

Authors
  1. Manuel Elices
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  2. Gustavo V. Guinea
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  3. José Pérez-Rigueiro
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  4. Gustavo R. Plaza
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Additional information

Editor’s Note: A hypertext-enhanced version of this article is available on-line at www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/0502/Elices-0502.html

For more information, contact Manuel Elices, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, ETS de Ingenieros de Caminos, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain; e-mail melices@mater.upm.es.

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Elices, M., Guinea, G.V., Pérez-Rigueiro, J. et al. Finding inspiration in argiope trifasciata spider silk fibers. JOM 57, 60–66 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-005-0218-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-005-0218-7

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