Composite materials based on silk proteins

Hardy, John G. and Scheibel, Thomas R. (2010) Composite materials based on silk proteins. Progress in Polymer Science, 35 (9). pp. 1093-1115. ISSN 0079-6700

Abstract

A number of animals have evolved to produce silk-based composite materials for a variety of task-specific applications. The review initially focuses on the composite structure of silk fibers produced naturally by silkworms and spiders, followed by the preparation and applications of man-made composite materials (including fibers, films, foams, gels and particulates) incorporating silk proteins in combination with other polymers (both natural and synthetic) and/or inorganic particles.