Department of Zoology, Oxford University, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
Biopolymers. 2012 Jun;97(6):368-73. doi: 10.1002/bip.22022. Epub 2012 Jan 12.
This study investigates the relationship between birefringence and mechanical properties in the dragline silk of the gold orb weaving spider Nephila edulis. Using a custom birefringence-tensile testing device, we probed the orientation and water-induced swelling of fibers spun at variety of drawing rates ranging from 0.003 to 400 mm s(-1). Our results indicate that based upon drawing rate, silk fibers fall into three distinct regimes each with characteristic orientation and swelling properties. Further investigation using in situ tensile testing reveals interactions between a fiber's drawing speed, mechanical properties, and orientation that support previous model predictions. We propose that simultaneous birefringence-tensile testing provides a unique and readily accessible insight into the structural behavior of this interesting and important biomaterial.
本研究调查了金蛛（Nephila edulis）牵引丝的双折射与机械性能之间的关系。我们使用定制的双折射拉伸测试设备，探究了在 0.003 至 400mm/s 的不同拉伸速率下纺制的纤维的取向和水诱导膨胀。结果表明，根据拉伸速率，丝纤维可分为三个不同的区域，每个区域都具有特征性的取向和膨胀特性。进一步的原位拉伸测试表明，纤维的拉伸速度、机械性能和取向之间存在相互作用，这支持了先前的模型预测。我们提出，同时进行双折射拉伸测试为研究这种有趣且重要的生物材料的结构行为提供了一种独特且易于实现的方法。
