Cellulose manufacturing process (mechanical) can be of 6 types. Here, only 3 are described.

1. Mechanical process of cellulose nanofiber manufacturing
High-pressure homogenization
• Cellulosic pulp is passed through a very small nozzle at high
pressure.
• Types of forces: high velocity and pressure, impact and shear forces
• Influence fluid to generate shear rates and decrease the size of fibers to
the nanoscale.
Figure: High-pressure homogenization process

2. Ball milling process
• Cellulose suspension is placed in a hollow cylindrical
container.
– Partially filled with balls made up of ceramic, zirconia, or metal.
– The container rotates and breaks cellulose cell walls through
the high-energy collision between the balls.
Figure: Ball milling process

3. High-intensity ultrasonication
• Uses hydrodynamic forces of ultrasound with
oscillation power
• Cavities in cells convert into powerful mechanical
oscillating power
• Molecules absorb the ultrasonic energy of high-
intensity waves and consist of formation, expansion,
and implosion of microscopic gas bubbles.
• High temperature, high power, and short fiber size
are required to make better fibrillation.