The Reaction between Cellulose and Formaldehyde

The moduli at bending, torsion, and stretching were determined for viscose rayon fiber with different amounts of formaldehyde. A maximum value of all three moduli was obtained at about 5% fixed formaldehyde. The properties at cyclic loading were also investigated. The results indicate that the number of crosslinks are increased at increasing amounts of fixed formaldehyde up to 5%. At higher values, the length of the crosslinks is increased. Formaldehyde polymers, soluble in sodium sulfite, may cause considerable changes in the mechanical properties.