Probing the microstructure of protein and polyamide fibres

The chemical, structural and physical properties of a range of proteinaceous and polyamide fibres, including silk, wool, nylon and various modern and historic regenerated proteins, have been assessed. The chemistry and microstructure of both pristine and artificially aged specimens of the fibres have been investigated using conventional and polarised infrared spectroscopy. Correlations have been drawn between these results and data derived from mechanical testing, demonstrating that the nature and state of such materials can be adequately characterised by analytical methods requiring minimal intervention. This will be of value in exploring the history and informing the identification, conservation, display and storage of artefacts containing these fibres.