Toughness of spider silk at high and low temperatures

The outstanding strength and toughness of certain spider and lepidopteran silks([1]) has aroused considerable interest in recent years([2]) with research focusing primarily on the relationship between molecular structure and mechanical properties.([3]) Environmental conditions such as ambient humidity([4]) acidity,([5]) and UV radiation([6]) all affect the mechanical properties of native silks to some degree. ([7]) Pronounced differences in mechanical properties were also observed when conditions such as the speed or temperature at spinning were varied([8]) or when the silk was (or had been) submerged in solvents such as water, urea solution, or a range of alcohols, where it contracts in varying degrees([9]).