Silk is a natural protein fiber which can be woven into
textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibrous and is
produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The shimmering appearance of
silk is due to the triangular prism like structure of the silk fiber which
allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles, thus producing
different colors.
The word silk comes from old English “Sioloc”. Silk use in
fabric was first developed in ancient China. The earliest evidence for silk is
the presence of the silk protein, Fibroin in soil samples from two tombs at the
Neolithic site Jiahu in Henan, which date back about 8,509 years. Silk were
originally reserved for the emperors of China for their own use and gifts to
others.
The texture and lustre of silk rapidly made silk become a
popular luxury fabric in the many areas accessible to Chinese merchants. Silk
has a smooth, soft texture that is not slippery unlike many synthetic fibers.
Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers but it loses up to 20% of its
strength when wet. It has a good moisture regain of 11%. Its elasticity is
moderate to poor, if elongated even a small amount, it remains stretched. It
can be weakened if exposed to too much of sunlight.
Silk is a poor conductor of electricity and thus susceptible
to static cling. Silk has a high emissivity for infrared lights, making it feel
cool to the touch. Unwashed silk chiffon may shrink up to 8% due to a
relaxation of the fiber macro structure, so silk should either be washed prior
to garment construction or dry cleaned. It’s comfortable to wear in warm
weather while active. Its low conductivity keeps warm air close to the skin
during cold weather. It is often used for clothing such as shirts , ties,
trousers, blouses, skirts, formal dresses, high fashion clothes, lining,
lingerie, pajamas, robes, dress suits, sun dresses and Eastern folk costumes.
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