Moisture induced straining of the cellulosic microfibril

Abstract Moisture absorption in the cell wall structure of wood is well known to induce considerable swelling exerting high expansion forces. This mainly induced by sorptive action hydroxyl groups carbohydrate polymers; cellulose and hemicelluloses. On ultrastructural level, there are, however, still questions with regard detailed deformations this moisture absorption. Here, FTIR spectroscopy synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray diffraction were used on paper samples study deformation crystals as a consequence desorption. Both techniques revealed that resulted transverse contraction accompanied somewhat smaller elongation chain direction. The found be direct response increased content also reversible during It hypothesised these are forces created combined longitudinal lateral expansions non-crystalline molecules glucomannan hemicellulose aligned along crystals. These will impose crystals, extension it. Graphic abstract