this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2023
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Silk tougher than Kevlar thanks to genetically modified silkworms::Researchers in China have successfully genetically modified silkworms to produce spider silk. The silk fibres produced were 6 times tougher than the Kevlar used in bulletproof vests.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

A lot of great terms in material science.

Brittle fracture is the point at which a material breaks instead of deforming. A material that deforms instead of breaking with stress, like bubble gum, has high "Ductility." It doesnt retain its original shape, but it doesnt fracture.

Strength is the ability for something to withstand stress.

Metal generally has high hardness, good strength and at least some ductility. It will generally absorb and bend to stress, if it bends at all.

Something like Glass has low ductility, low strength and low hardness. It's very solid up to the point of brittle fracture, but once it happens it shatters.