GEL-SOL TRANSITION OF METHYLCELLULOSE

The gelation mechanism of aqueous solutions of methylcellulose (MC) wi th different molecular weights was studied by small deformation oscill ation rheological measurments and differential scanning calorimetry (D SC). The gelation is promoted by the increase in molecular weight of M C: the elastic modulus becomes larger, the gelation occurs at lower te mperatures and the DSC peaks accompanying the gel-sol transition becom e sharper. Cooling DSC curves split into two peaks, indicating that th e gel-to-sol transition occurred via two steps.