Mechanical properties of spider’s cobwebs

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p>Spiders are a specific class of animals called arachnids that range in size from the small jumping spiders commonly seen in residential areas to the goliath bird eater tarantula of South Africa (the largest spider in the world). They differ from insects because they have two body parts and eight legs.</p><p>Formal categorizations of spiders start by placing them in families, based on specific criteria, viz:</p><ul><li>Eating habits</li><li>Shape and form of cobwebs</li></ul><p>There are varieties of hunting spiders such as the crab spiders, fishing spiders and jumping spiders, which are often found in and around residential areas. Spiders bite and the bite of a few spiders is fatal. Many common spiders are beneficial because they feed on pests.</p><p>Natural and synthetic spider cobwebs are used in many products including bullet proof materials, speciatly textile, artificial tendons, sutures and other engineering and medical applications. The mechanical and structural properties of the cobweb silk dictate the performance and longevity of these products in which they are used and the measurement of these properties is essential for their engineering and medical applications.</p> <br><p></p>