Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

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cellulose fibers

The basic raw material used in the manufacture of paper and other cellulose products. Cellulose usually exists in association with substantial amounts of other substances that are removed insofar as possible in the papermaking process. An exception to this is the seed hair fibers, or COTTON LINTERS , which exist as almost pure cellulose. The approximate cellulose content of some of the materials used in making papers are: 
    Material       % Cellulose
    Cotton             98
    Ramie              86
    Hemp               65
    Jute               58
    Deciduous woods    41-42
    Coniferous woods   41-44
    Cornstalks         43
    Wheat straw        42

The cellulose fibers used in making paper have certain inherent properties which enable them to form a web, i e.. a sheet of paper. including: 1) hydrophilicity, which permits them to be readily dispersed in water; 2) a fine structure which permits FIBRILLATION ; 3) sufficient fiber length to form a highly entangled web of considerable strength; and 4) the ability to form hydrogen bonds between fibers as the web dries, thus providing additional strength in the sheet of paper. (144 )




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