A treatise on the elastic and hygroexpansional properties of paper by a composite laminate approach

In this study, paper is modelled as a homogeneous structure where the cell-wall layer of the fiber constitutes the main building unit. According to this approach, the macroscopic properties of paper are related to the properties of the constituent polymers, cellulose and hemicelluloses. The effects of fiber orientation and the influence of moisture content on the elastic moduli and hygroexpansivity of paper are examined and the results compared with experimental data. It is suggested that the mechanical properties of paper are dependent on a mixture of transverse and longitudinal cell-wall layer properties and not only on the proportion of fibers in any direction.