EFFECT OF MICROSTRUCTURE OF CARDBOARD ON ITS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The article is devoted to the prediction of mechanical properties on the study of the microstructure of the cross section of cardboard. The results of the work in the future can be used as an addition to standard methods for evaluating the mechanical properties of cardboard. On the basis of images of the microstructure of the cross sections of the two-layer test liner cardboard and their graphic processing using modern computer programs, the lengths of fiber contacts were determined. Guided by the fact that the most significant indicator of all geometric parameters of the microstructure is the length of fiber contacts, the main mechanical properties of cardboard were determined (bursting strength and compression resistance, breaking length, bending stiffness, interlayer strength)produced according to various technologies (conventional method of preparing recovered paper stock, dry defibration of recovered paper with aerodynamic formation of the top layer, dry defibration of recovered paper with subsequent supply of fibers to the stock and dry defibration of recovered paper with subsequent grinding in the stock). Each of the technologies allows to obtain cardboard with different mechanical parameters. It has been established that almost all mechanical indicators depend directly proportionally on the length of the fiber contact lines. The obtained dependencies can be used to predict the mechanical properties of cardboard in its production at industry enterprises.

Effect of pulp consistency during refining on physical and mechanical characteristics of handsheets

At the moment, the pulp and paper industry produces a wide variety of types of paper and board, which can serve as an alternative to plastic packaging products. The main requirement for paper packaging is high strength properties, which include: breaking length, resistance to breaking, bursting and tearing. The required strength properties can be ensured at the stage of refining the semi-finished product from which the paper product will be made by changing the consistency of the pulp. Since the influence of the consistency of the pulp during refining on the strength characteristics of the finished product has not been fully studied, it was of interest to find out how the strength properties of castings change when refining the pulp with a change in concentration.

Bacterial nanocellulose and softwood pulp for composite paper

Scaling biosynthesis of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) allowed samples of composite paper with an increased proportion of BNC to be obtained. This work aims to study BNC samples and bleached soft wood kraft pulp (BSKP) composite paper with a ratio of components varying across a wide range: 10:90, 30:70, 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 90:10. The method of paper manufacturing was chosen based on the determinations of strength and deformation properties of composite samples with the BNC:BSKP ratio of 20:80. Surface application of BNT on BSKP handsheet provided for an increase in the strength values (tear resistance – by 37%, burst index – by 17%) and deformation characteristics (tension stiffness – by 66%, fracture work – by 8%, breaking length – by 4%) compared to a reference sample. The formation of composites is confirmed in all samples. Scanning electron spectroscopy revealed that paper composites comprise interlaced micro BSKP and nano BNC fibres. As the proportion of BNC in composites elevated, densification of the structure was observed due to an increased fraction of cross-linked nanosized elements. IR spectroscopy indicated the resemblance of cellulose structure in all samples. It was found that an increase in the degree of polymerisation of composite paper is directly proportional to an increase in the BNC amount in the samples. The filtering ability of composite paper samples against microorganisms in the culture liquid of the Medusomyces gisevii Sa-12 producer was studied. It should be noted that yeast retention is achieved with 70% BNC in the paper composite. The presented properties of the new material determine prospects for its use in filtering microorganisms.

Valorification of Ulva rigida Algae in Pulp and Paper Industry for Improved Paper Characteristics and Wastewater Heavy Metal Filtration

This paper presents preliminary results on the possibility of incorporating stranded macroalgae into the papermaking process; analyses of the physical-mechanical properties of filter paper, with the addition of stranded macrophytic marine algae from Ulva rigida species obtained previously; results of SEM–EDX analyses of filter paper samples; and results obtained from the filtration of a wastewater from the metallurgical industry, using the improved filter paper samples. In the filter paper recipe, stranded macrophytic seaweed of the species Ulva rigida was added at different percentages of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8%, and the addition was calculated in relation to the absolute dry material. The physicomechanical properties analyzed are grammage, thickness, density, moisture, ash content, breaking load, breaking length, tear resistance, bursting resistance, folding endurance, porosity, smoothness, water absorption and Cobb60 index. Additional information related to the homogeneity of the distribution of elements in the paper mass was obtained by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDX). The addition of macroalgae to the paper mass improved the strength characteristics of the paper, such as breaking load, breaking length, tearing resistance, folding endurance and water absorption. Following industrial wastewater filtration using filter paper with added seaweed, positive results were obtained in terms of reduction of total Cr, Cu, total Fe and Zn concentrations.

Role of Cellulose Nanofibrils in Improving the Strength Properties of Papers: A Review

The pursuit for sustainability in the papermaking industry calls for the elimination or reduction of synthetic additives and the exploration of renewable and biodegradable alternatives. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), due to their inherent morphological and biochemical properties, are an excellent alternative to synthetic additives. These properties enable CNFs to improve the mechanical, functional and barrier properties of different types of paper. The nanosize diameter, micrometre length, semi-crystalline structure, high strength and modulus of CNFs has a direct influence on the mechanical properties of paper such as tensile index, burst index, Scott index, breaking length, tear index, Z-strength, E-modulus, strain at break, and tensile stiffness. This review details the role played by CNFs as an additive to improve strength properties of papers and the factors affecting the improvement in paper quality when CNFs are added as additives. The paper also includes techno-economic aspects of the process and identifies areas that need further research.

Nitrate-Alkaline Pulp from Non-Wood Plants

Because there is a lack of wood resources in many countries, this work focused on pulp and paper production from the waste and agricultural residues of non-wood plants. The work aimed to pulp the nitrate-alkaline of black mustard (Brassica Nigra L.) and camelina (Camelina Sativa L.). The black mustard and the camelina were selected due to the expanding planted areas of these crops in the Czech Republic. To characterize the chemical composition of black mustard and camelina, cellulose, lignin, ash, and extractives were determined. Raw alpha-cellulose, beta-cellulose, and gamma-cellulose were also measured. The results showed that the content of lignin in non-wood plants is lower than that in softwoods. The cooked pulp was characterized by the delignification degree–Kappa number. Additionally, handsheet papers were made for selected samples of pulp. The handsheet papers were characterized by tensile index, breaking length, and smoothness and compared with commonly available papers.

Calcium Carbonate–Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hybrid Materials

In the present work, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) were prepared to obtain new hybrid materials used in papermaking. In the first step, occurred the precipitation of CaCO3 in solution containing CMC at different levels (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). In the second step, PCC–CMC hybrid material (25%) was added to pulp suspension, and the sheets were made. The effect of PCC–CMC on paper properties (mechanical and optical) was systematically investigated. Breaking length, the brightness and opacity of the sheets obtained with the PCC–CMC material were better than the sheets fabricated with the unmodified PCC at similar levels of content.

Nitrate-Alkaline Pulp From Non-Wood Plants

To investigate this suitability of Black Mustard (Brassica Nigra L.) and Camelina (Camelina Sativa L.) for pulp manufacturing the nitrate-alkaline method was used. The non-wood plants were characterized by chemical analysis, especially lignin, cellulose, ash, extractives and alpha-, beta-, gamma-cellulose. The pulp was cooked in 6% nitric acid and then underwent the extraction by 5% sodium-hydroxide and neutralized by 1% acetic acid. The cooked pulp was characterized by delignification degree – Kappa number. The laboratory sheets were made from this cooked pulp and they were characterized by tensile index, breaking length, smoothness and compared with commonly available papers.

In Situ Precipitated Calcium Carbonate in the Presence of Pulp Fibers – A Beating Study

The paper industry around the world is in search for new ways to decrease production costs. New approached with additives such as new developed In Situ precipitated paper fillers materials have the potential to reduce production cost and increase profit margins. In Situ precipitated calcium carbonate filler with 20.9% and 41.7% filler material was produced in a large-scale laboratory unit using a eucalyptus pulp fiber suspension with a 1.7% fiber solids content. Laboratory beating tests were performed with a Valley Beater and APFI Mill using pure eucalyptus pulp with no filler content as the based trial and the two-laboratory manufactured In Situ precipitated filler pulps. Valley Beater and PFI Mill laboratory beating machines show similar differences/trends for the breaking length, tear and burst index. EC-pulp with no filler has the highest strength for breaking length, tear and burst index. With increasing filler level breaking length, tear and burst index decrease. Filler containing pulp shows a decrease in beating time for the same beating level. 20 minutes for the Valley Beater and 15000 revolutions for the PFI mill show highest change in pulp fiber beating level sufficient for paper making operation. Valley Beater and PFI Mill laboratory equipment operate different and an exact comparison of the beating curves is not possible. Based on the amount of pulp fiber needed for experiments the Valley Beater for large amounts and the PFI mill for smaller amounts should be selected. The SEM pictographs of the Valley Beater and PFI Mill beating trials from 0 stage to the high beating stage at 80 minutes for the Valley beater and 60000 revolutions for the PFI Mill show similar results. No damage to the fibers is noticeable at the unbeaten level. With increasing beating level. At a magnification of 430 times the fiber structure shows an increasing dense fiber structure with less visible pores. Magnification of 2500 times reveals increasing damage to the fiber wall and fiber surface.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PULP OBTAINED FROM MISCANTHUS x GIGANTEUS BIOMASS PRODUCED IN LEAD-CONTAMINATED SOIL

"The main goal of the study was to investigate processing of Miscanthus x giganteus biomass produced in soil contaminated with lead and other trace elements (TEs) into pulp using chemical pulping. The phytoremediation parameters of the plant were measured during two growing seasons, which confirmed that the process can be defined as phytostabilization; the contaminants were mainly concentrated in the roots and practically did not translocate to the stalks and leaves, which permitted the use of the aboveground biomass to process into pulp using the organosolvent cooking. The chemical composition, morphological structure, and microscopic characteristics of various crops’ stalks were investigated and compared with the same parameters received for wood and other non-wood plant materials: rape, flax, hemp, and wheat straw. Indicators of pulp were studied depending on the duration of the organosolvent cooking. After 90 minutes of the cooking process, the peroxide pulp from M. x giganteus had a breaking length of 8300 m, tear resistance of 310 mN, and burst resistance of 220 kPa, testifying the high values of the indicators. Further research should investigate the properties of pulp produced from M. x giganteus biomass grown in soils contaminated with various TEs, as well as the possible translocation of elements to pulp."