Polarized Light Microscopy Digital Image Gallery

Thrown Raw Silk Fibers

Silk that retains its natural sericin is called raw silk. The gelatinous nitrogenous protein is frequently left in place during much of the processing of silk fiber because it provides a certain amount of protection to the delicate strands. However, the sericin is usually removed in the yarn or fabric stage by subjecting the material to boiling water and soap. The result is a very soft, lustrous, semitransparent silk that may be reduced in weight by as much as 30 percent. Beautiful, relatively strong, and highly accepting of dyes, this final material is a popular choice for fine garments and textiles that are in high demand around the world.


© 1995-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Thursday, Nov 20, 2003 at 03:51 PM
Access Count Since November 20, 2003: 10194
Microscopes provided by:
Visit the Nikon website. Visit the Olympus Microscopy Resource Center website.