What percentage of tensile strength does silk lose when wet?

When silk becomes wet, it experiences a significant reduction in tensile strength due to the inherent properties of its protein fibers. When measuring the impact of water on silk's strength, the commonly accepted figure indicates that silk can lose around 20% of its tensile strength when wet. This reduction occurs because the moisture changes the interaction between the protein chains in the silk, leading to decreased structural integrity.

Understanding this property is essential in contexts where silk is used, such as in fashion and textiles, where maintaining the material's strength is crucial, especially when exposed to moisture. This knowledge also informs practices related to the care and cleaning of silk clothing and textiles.