Properties of high yield kraft pulp from aspen branches as a fibrous raw material for the production of corrugated cardboard components

The properties of high-yield kraft pulp from aspen (Populus tremula L.) branches were compared in terms of its suitability as a raw material for the production of corrugated cardboard components. The high-yield pulp obtained from aspen branches by separate cooking using the kraft method in laboratory conditions according to the developed regime, compared to pulp from the trunk, has similar characteristics in terms of yield (60.2 and 61.8%) and kappa number (52 and 54 units). The obtained high-yield kraft pulp was characterized by a set of fundamental, deformation and strength properties. It was established that, having a 32% shorter fiber length (0.59 versus 0.86 mm) and 22% lower intrinsic fiber strength (zero breaking length 11.3 versus 14.5 km), 24.3% lower coarseness (14.3 versus 18.9 mg/m), it has a 2.3% higher (2.43 versus 2.37 MPa) magnitude of interfiber bonding forces, which are responsible for the elastic properties of paper. Pulp from aspen branches has a 15% lower breaking length, 24% lower tear resistance, 20% lower modulus of elasticity, 15% lower bending stiffness, and 11% lower tensile stiffness. However, the differences in the values of burst strength and compression strength do not exceed 3%. The differences are due to the difference in size (length and width), coarseness and own strength of the fibers, with the compensating effect of the surface condition and structure of the cell wall, which undergo changes as a result of hydromechanical action during refining, which is accompanied by the development of interfiber bonding forces and the ability to compact in a wet state. It is concluded that high-yield kraft pulp from wood waste in the form of aspen branches has high potential for use in cardboard composition, without requiring significant changes in technology, while having an environmental and economic effect.

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