Melting Paper

[idiotthethird]

My question is this: things such as paper do not melt in what we would call a "standard" environment, because their ignition point is well below any melting point.

 

If, however, you heated paper in, say, a pure helium (or other inert gas) environment, would it melt, or sublime? If so, at what temperature? Is anyone even aware of such a thing having been attempted before?

 

(by the way, sorry if this should be in the chemistry forum)

Edited October 14, 2009 by idiotthethird
just in case

[CaptainPanic]

Paper is effectively cellulose.

 

Cellulose will decompose (not melt) at higher temperatures. Those decomposition products are flammable, and if air is present it will burn.

If air is not present, it will still decompose.

 

Cellulose is a polymer of glucose. The initial decomposition products will be forming at about 300 degrees C, and will resemble sugar molecules such as glucose. Perhaps some small parts are missing, and some of the molecules will already break up into smaller pieces. Also, some molecules will lump together, and lose mostly the hydrogen and oxygen (forming water). The remaining carbon resembles charcoal. That process is called "Pyrolysis".

 

Then those can react further into smaller chunks of molecules... until eventually you get the very small molecules such as hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). If you go as far as those small molecules, you need to heat to at least 600, but probably 800 deg C. The process is called "Gasification".

 

p.s. I reported the post / thread and told our mods to (please be so kind to) move it.

[Mr Skeptic]

You can't melt it, but you can dissolve cellulose and then turn it into cellophane.