Silk

Silk is a unique textile fibre which possesses a combination of beauty and strength. Silk is the only natural filament used in textile industry. Silk is associated with wealth because it is expensive and scarce. Silk as a clothing fibre was a symbol of status.

Silk is produced by the silk worm, the caterpillar of a moth, in the form of two very fine filaments coated with gum. With this twin filament the caterpillars produces a protective casing known as cocoon around itself before the chrysalis stage of its life. Inside this casing it normally changes into a moth and emerges when the change had been completed.

Silk filaments are obtained by unwinding the cocoons in groups of six to eight at a time and reeling the resultant fine thread after the silkworms have been stifled by steam. First quality silk filament can be less than 1000m.

Silk is a strong fibre slightly lesser in strength when compared with cotton. Silk is elastic and resilient like wool but not as good as it. The combination of strength and elasticity makes silk unique in textile fabrics.

Silk is also fine, highly lustrous, soft and superb drape enable silk to be converted into many beautiful types of fabrics, varying from delicate chiffons to heavy beautiful brocades. The fineness, regularity, strength and elasticity of silk make it suitable for fine screens for printing and sifting purposes and parachute fabrics. Silk has chemical sensitivity to wool and the fine delicate nature and high cost of most silk fabrics make extreme care in handling. Silk is highly expensive and limited in making.

China tops the list of silk producing countries and India second.