The elastic constants of crystalline native cellulose

A new theoretical analysis is made of the elastic constants of crystalline native cellulose. Primary interatomic forces are considered in the calculation of the Young modulus in the chain direction, where we retrieve a result identical to that of Treloar. Hydrogen bonds provide the main mechanism for determining all the other elastic constants, most of which are here calculated for the first time. The lateral Young moduli are found to be surprisingly high. Van der Waals interactions are assumed to play a subsidiary role to that of hydrogen bonds, but this factor remains to be quantitatively assessed. The relation of theory to experiment is critically examined.