Effect of Bound Water on Tensile Properties of Native Cellulose

Tensile properties of native cotton cellulose having various water contents from 0% to 50% in weight were measured. X-ray diffraction patterns of samples containing sorbed water were also measured. The dimensional change of the cross section of a single fiber was observed under a microscope. The amount of bound water found in cotton cellulose was estimated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Tensile strength, elongation, aqd elasticity of cotton fibers varied with water content; however, these values leveled off at about 20% water content. The half width of diffraction peak (002) obtained from x-ray diffractometry increased as the amount of sorbed water increased, and then attained a constant value at about 20% water content. The results obtained by DSC showed that values of 20% water content agreed well with the amount of bound water.