A theoretical approach to interfiber bonding of cellulose

Abstract

The bonding interaction between two overlapping fibers in natural cellulose systems is considered. An atomistic model, on the basis of a unit cell theory, is presented. An actual bonded area within the junction is defined and related to the effective number of bonds acting between the two fibers. The response behavior of the bonding is formulated by using a bonding potential form which is valid within the actual bonded area. A possible bond breakage in the junction, i.e., when the bonding deformation exceeds its maximum limit, has been treated as a stochastic process which assumed to follow a stationary Markov-chain. A so-called “Bond Breakage Function” is introduced to relate the breakage phenomenon to the steady-state response.