According to ASTM D1695-07, cellulose is defined as the main solid constituent of woody plants, occurring widely in the vegetable kingdom, and to a small extent in the animal kingdom. Chemically, cellulose is a B-1-4 glucan of high degree of polymerization. It is desirable to apply “cellulose” to this material only and to designate the predominantly cellulosic residue obtained by subjecting woody tissues to various pulping processes as “cellulosic residues,” “cellulosic pulps,” or the like.
ASTM does not have a single, specific definition of “cellulose” as a standalone term, but its dos define various cellulose-related terms and materials for containing cellulose.
Cellulose I: The crystalline modification of cellulose that normally occurs in nature.
Cellulose II: The crystalline modification of cellulose that is found in mercerized cellulose, in regenerated cellulose, and in cellulose produced by the hydrolysis of various cellulose derivatives.
Cellulose III: A crystalline modification of cellulose produced by treatment, under certain conditions, with ammonia or sometimes by amines. The method of removing the reagent determines the modification produced.
Cellulose IV: A crystalline modification of cellulose produced by heat treatment of cellulose II.
Cellulose X: A crystalline modification of cellulose produced by treatment of cellulose with strong hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid.
Cellulose, purified cotton: A chemically purified cellulose material that is intended for chemical treatment to produce derivatives.
Cellulose, purified wood: Chemical cellulose derived from wood.
Cellulose derivative: A substance derived from cellulose by substitution of one or more hydroxyl groups with some other radical. Most derivatives are ethers or esters.
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