Vätning på mikroskala

Abstract

Individual cellulose fibers were studied to identify the transport and absorbtion phenomena as well as the influence of drying. A Chalmers University of Technology developed method within ESEM (Enviromental Scanning Electron Microscope) has been used in this study. The results from the laborations gave the following conclu- sions: The transport of water occurs in fibers in the fiber wall surface and the lumen. Collapsed fibers can only transport water on the outside and has generally slower absorption rate than non-collapsed fibers. In some cases a better transportation capacity can be observed, because the surface structure of the fiber is important in regards of transportation. Hornification results in a size reduction of pores on the surface of the fibers. Drying processes increases hornification of fibers, this has been shown to give lower absorptive capacity.