Molecules Magnified

Woman in red dress

Nylon

From parachutes to toothbrushes, nylon is everywhere. Find out how it's given us more than just nicer stockings in our guide to nylon.

Silk

Ever wondered how silk gets to be so smooth? It's all down to the molecules.

Wool

Do you think sheep when you think wool? Take a new look at wool and count molecules instead.

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A closer look at the structure of fabric

Wool and silk couldn’t feel more different: wool is spiky and springy, whereas silk is smooth and less elastic. Wool and silk are natural polymer fibres obtained from animals. Each is made up of fine threads, hundreds of times longer than they are thick. Both wool and silk are made up of proteins called keratins. Wool contains alpha-keratin which folds into coiled, helix type structures, whilst silk is made up of beta-keratin which folds backwards and forwards into flat sheet type structures. Nylon is a synthetic fibre. It’s a polymer that feels smooth like silk but is wholly man-made in its creation.

Content last updated: 31/01/2002