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Silk
contains two properties which make it superior to
any other animal fibre: triangular fibres which reflect
light like prisms and layers of protein that
lend it a smooth sheen.
Silk
fibre is lustrous, smooth, supple, lightweight, elastic
and strong. When viewed longtitudinally, a filament
of de-gummed silk appears smooth,lustrous and translucent,
Where as raw silk still coated in gum looks bumpy
and irregular.
A
coarse texture with uneven, slightly knotty threads
distinguishes Thai silk from the silk of other countries.
It is this quality that makes it perfectly suite to
hand-loom weaving.
A silk fibre is highly elastic and resilient. It will
stretch by 10 or 20 percent over its length without
damage and will revert to its original shape upon
release. Capable of absorbing up to 30 percent of
its own weight in moisture, it can still feel dry.
However,
a wet pleasantly smooth to touch, silk easily absorbs
perspiration and is one of the most comfortable fabrics
to wear next to the skin. These factors combine to
provide a cool-in- summer and warm-in-winter property.
Silk's durability enables it to resist mildews, mould
and rot that attack fibres. One of the lightest of
natural fibres that resists wrinkling, silk when folded
takes up very little room.
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