Rotation of a natural cellulosic fibre about its fibre axis due to absorption of moisture

This paper describes the rotation of white jute fibres (Corchorus capsularis) about the fibre axis due to absorption and desorption of moisture. It was observed that the rotation increases with an increase in the percentage of relative humidity. The rotation also increases with the applied stress and shows a hysteresis for the absorption and desorption cycle. A hydrogen bonding scheme between the microfibrils has been proposed to explain this rotation due to absorption of moisture. This hydrogen bonding scheme also explains the hystereses for the moisture regained (%) vs relative humidity and relative increase in length vs relative humidity curves during absorption and desorption of moisture, for cellulose fibres.