Atomistic modeling of interphases in spider silk fibers

We present a structural description of the intercrystalline polymer interphase based on atomistic modeling for spider dragline silk fibers. In the model small crystallites are connected by interphases. The interphases are assumed to be thin layers (< 4 nm) of statistically arranged chains. The calculated mechanical moduli of these interphases are significantly greater than the isotropic amorphous material.