Khon Kaen University Unwraps Its New 'Silk Bicycles'

Machinery and Technology

Khon Kaen University Unwraps Its New 'Silk Bicycles'

The engineering faculty of Thailand's Khon Kaen University revealed what it says are the world's first "silk bicycles", featuring lightweight, low-cost silk-resin frames. The frames were developed within the faculty, Asst Prof Phanomkorn Khwakhong said.

They were made of a silk and resin compound, wrapped with silk threads and left to dry for three days. It was hoped they would prove a popular substitute for the far more expensive carbon fibre frames used on top end bikes, he said.

He said a carbon fibre bicycle frame retailed at 40,000-100,000 baht while a silk-resin frame cost only 15,000-20,000 baht and was also much stronger than the aluminium frames found on many bikes.

"The silk-resin frames tolerate about five times the load and about eight times the tensile force and are about 30 times more flexible than an aluminium frame... Silk-resin frames and aluminium frames have similar weights," Phanomkorn said. The engineering faculty of Khon Kaen University had patented the process and was ready for a commercial partnership with interested investors, he said. He hoped it would benefit Thai silk producers.