Abstract
Cellulose films having radically different physical properties were prepared by the standard viscose process and by the deacetylation of commercial cellulose acetate film. These films were characterized by x-ray, acid hydrolysis, differential swelling in caustic, and light and electron microscopy of freshly torn edges.
Measurements by x-ray and acid hydrolysis reveal that the film from cellulose acetate has less crystalline material and smaller crystallite size than the viscose film. By drfferential swelling in caustic the film from cellulose acetate was shown to have less highly ordered material than the viscose film.
Light and electron microscopy of freshly torn edges of the two films reveal a com mon structural element. Fibrils were seen, the size of which did not vary appreciably between the two films. The arrangement of the fibrils in the internal structure of the films was markedly different.
By considering the data obtained from these different sources, an explanation of the property difference and its relation to fine structure can be postulated.
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