INFLUENCE OF WATER ON THE GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF CELLULOSE.

Abstract

The approach of Kaelbe for calculating the effect of plasticizers on the glass transition temperature of the system polymer-plasticizer is discussed and compared with reported experimental data. By using these equations of Kaelbe, one can calculate the softening effect of water on cellulose. The results are shown to be in reasonable agreement with available data for the glass transition temperature of wet and plasticized cellulose. The glass transition temperature for cellulose containing variable amounts of water is calculated for cellulose material of different degree of crystallinity. Also the softening effect of water in cellulose systems containing hemicellulose and lignin is discussed.