The fine structure of fibers and crystalline polymers. III. Interpretation of the mechanical properties of fibers

Abstract

The mechanics of extension of plant fibers is considered in terms of a spiral arrangement of crystalline fibrils embedded in a noncrystalline matrix. Deformation may take place either by stretching of the fibrils or by extension such as that of a spiral spring. In the latter, the major resistance comes from the reduction in volume. The extension mechanism predominates for low spiral angles; the spring mechanism, for high spiral angles. There is reasonable agreement between the theoretical expressions and experimental results. The application of similar ideas to other types of fiber structure is considered.