Beta cellulose

Description

One of three forms of Cellulose: alpha, beta and gamma. The three forms may be separated by soaking the cellulosic pulp in a 17.5% solution of Sodium hydroxide. The pure white, Alpha cellulose insoluble and can be filtered from the solution. Once the alkaline solution is neutralized, beta cellulose will precipitate. Gamma cellulose is the portion of the cellulosic material that remains soluble. Together, gamma and beta cellulose are called Hemicellulose.

Authority

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976