UK based publisher Woodhead Publishing has published ‘Silk: Processing, properties and applications’, a new book on silk production, properties and structure-property relationships, and the future of silk, including its application in the textile, biomedical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The Cambridge based publisher has provided the following summary of the book:

Summary

Silk is a natural, environmentally-friendly fibre with a remarkable range of properties which make it ideal for use in apparel and many other applications. ‘Silk: Processing, properties and applications’ provides an authoritative reference on sericulture, silk fabric processing, silk properties and its applications.

The book begins by looking at key aspects of sericulture, including the range of mulberry and non-mulberry species of silk worm, early and late stage rearing and harvesting of cocoons. Further chapters discuss reeling, weaving and spinning techniques as well as dyeing. The book also discusses the physical and chemical structure of silk as well as its mechanical and thermal properties. Concluding chapters discuss developments in applications, as well as the properties of spider silk.

‘Silk: Processing, properties and applications’ is useful for textile technologists, fibre scientists and all those with an interest in the characteristics of silk, its production and the varied uses of this important fibre.