Bulk cellulose plastic materials from processing cellulose powder using back pressure-equal channel angular pressing

Bulk cellulose plastic materials with a continuous morphology were successfully processed from cellulose powder through back pressure-equal channel angular pressing (BP-ECAP) at 150 degrees C without using any additives. The strong shear deformation during the process caused an efficient deformation of cellulose granular and crystalline structures, resulting in effective chain penetration and strong intermolecular interactions throughout the whole material. The mechanical behaviour of the cellulose plastics was comparable to those of polymer/cellulose composites. Ball milling the cellulose powder prior to processing disrupted the crystalline structures thus resulting in more significant modifications of the molecular motions of the cellulose. The outcome of this research provides a potential methodology for manufacturing renewable and biodegradable bulk materials from cellulose-based agricultural waste. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.