>Successive generations of brood apply more silk to the walls, the cells become smaller, and the mass ratio of silk greater. Thus, old brood combs are heavily impregnated with silk which is inseparable from the wax except by chemical or heat treatments. 


I use a solar melter and when melting old comb the silk structure is left behind in almost perfect shape. The wax drains almost completely off and through the cocoons leaving just the silk hexagons.  I'm guessing the silk adds some small degree of insulation the same as a silk sock would.  


Bill Hesbach
Cheshire CT

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