Deformation mechanism of cellulose gels. I. Present status of the problem

A brief outline is given of the present status of research on the problem of the deformation mechanism of cellulose gels. Emphasis is placed on the prevailing idea of a molecular network structure and recognition of the existence of an intimate relationship between the phenomena of deformation and those of swelling. In these respects the problems involved in cellulose research seem to show a marked convergence with those which emerge from recent developments in rubber research. The principle of Kratky's theory of “affined transformation” and the experiments carried out by this author in order to verify his theory are discussed briefly.