Fig. 1. Stress-strain curves of spider silk (MAS from A. trifasciata, see inset). FS, forcibly silked fibers. NS, naturally spun fibers, i.e. fibers retrieved either from the web or from the safety line. MS, maximum supercontracted fibers, i.e. fibers subjected to supercontraction and subsequent drying. All tests in air were performed at 20°C, 35%RH and strain rate 0.0002 s^-1. SCW, supercontracted fibers tested in water at 20°C and strain rate 0.0002 s^-1.