Resistance to acids : Generally not good but under some conditions it is acceptable Alkalies : Generally not good but under some conditions it is acceptable. Sunlight : Average Insects : Silverfish damage all types of cellulosic fibers.

2. Reeling the Filament: The process of unwinding the filament from the cocoon is called reeling. The care and skill used in reeling operation prevents defects in the raw silk. As the filament of a single cocoon is too fine for commercial use, 3 to 10 strands are usually reeled at a time to produce the desired diameter of raw silk thread. The cocoons float in H2 O, bobbing up and down, as the filaments are drawn upward through porcelain eyelets and are rapidly wound on wheels or drums while the operator watches to detect flaws. The sericin acts as an adhesive. It aids in holding several filaments together while they are combined to form the single thread. The remaining part of filament is used as valuable raw material for the Reeling of silk Softening of silk manufacture of spun silk. The silk filaments are reeled into skeins, which are packed in small bundles called books.