Spiders Web

[lumsdale]

Im sure I read somewhere that a spiders web is stronger than steel? Also about it being used to knit wounds as a kind of dressing? Is this Fact or Fiction.

[B00]

Well I wouldn't like to accidently walk through a web made of steel....not that I like walking through spider webs, but you know what I mean, hopefully!

[lumsdale]

If you think about just how fine a spiders web is then you will understand what I am saying. If the equivalent thickness of spider web was made in steel then, the spiders web would be strongest.

[slinkycat]

It was in the papers this week that scientists have managed to put spider genes into silkworms so that they can "farm" the resulting thread, which will be as fine as silk but strong as Kevlar......wonder what they will use it for, bullet proof knickers?!

[wolf63]

Slinkycat I just want a pair of knickers where the elastic actually stays attached all the way around for more than a couple of months.

Comfortable knickers are a must.

[wildwood]

Yes, it is a fact that spider's web thread is stronger than any manmade material including high tensile steel.

[hammerman]

It is also used on wounds because it is a natural anti-septic

[paddywak]

I remember reading somewhere that spiders silk was also used in optical instruments such as bomb & telescopic sights that required very fine, strong cursors.

[newtron]

Check this out:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/0 1/0117_020117TVspidermammals.html