Investigating the possibility of chemi-mechanical pulping of bagasse

Chemi-mechanical pulping was evaluated as a potential way to prepare sugarcane bagasse fibers for papermaking. Cellulose, lignin, ash, and extractives soluble in alcohol-acetone were measured as 55.75%, 20.5%, 1.85%, and 3.25%, respectively. Fiber length, diameter, lumen cavity, and cell wall thickness were measured as 1.59 mm, 20.96, 9.72, and 5.64 µm. The chemi-mechanical pulping conditions were selected as follows: three charging levels of 10, 15, and 20% sodium sulphite, and three pulping times of 20, 30, and 40 minutes after reaching the pulping temperature. Pulping temperature was held constant at 165 C. Different pulping conditions resulted in pulp yields between 65.38 and 84.28%. The highest yield (84.28%) was obtained using a treatment combination of 20 minutes pulping time and 10% sodium sulphite. The lowest yield (65.38%) was related to 40 minutes pulping time and 20% sodium sulphite. Pulps were refined to 300 ± 25 mL CSF, 60 gm-2 handsheets were made, and then strength indices and optical properties of the handsheets were measured. The results showed that 20% sodium sulphite, 40 minutes pulping time, at 165 ºC can be considered as the optimum pulping conditions for bagasse CMP pulping. Tensile, tear, and burst strength indices, as well as the opacity of this pulp were measured as 39.59 Nmg-1, 6.66 mNm2g-1, 2.1 KPa m2g-1, and 95.35%, respectively

The effect of Nano-MgO on the mechanical and flammability properties of hybrid nano composites from wood flour-polyethylene

This study considered the effect of nanomagnesium oxide on the mechanical and flammability features of composites made of wood flour and high-density polyethylene. A sample of wood flour was made from the mixture of hardwoods and high density polyethylene with the weight ratio of 50%. Maleic anhydride was added as a compatibilizer (2 phc), and nanomagnesium oxide was applied at 6 levels (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 phc). These materials were mixed, and samples were prepared with determined sizes by injection molding machine. The samples were subjected to flexural tests to examine the mechanical features, and to study flammability strength, various tests were conducted with a cone calorimeter, including the amount of char residue, total smoke production, time to ignition, and heat release rate, according to ASTM E1354-92 (1992). The addition of up to 3 phc nanomagnesium oxide increased flexural strength and modulus, but further additions decreased these values. The addition of 5 phc nanomagnesium oxide increased the char residue and ignition time, and it decreased the heat release rate, total smoke production, and burning rate. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis indicated the improper transmittance of nanomagnesium oxide and accumulations in the samples.   PDF XM

Effect of nanoclay contents on properties, of bagasse flour/reprocessed high density polyethylene/nanoclay composites

The effect of nanoclay contents on the physical and mechanical properties of bagasse flour/ reprocessed high density polyethylene (rHDPE)/ nanoclay composites was investigated. The bagasse flour content was constant at 50%, the maleic anhydride content was constant at 3%, and the nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) content was set at three different levels: 0%, 2%, and 4%. The materials were mixed in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder; afterwards, the specimens were fabricated using an injection molding method. The water absorption and mechanical properties, such as flexural and tensile strength, flexural and tensile modulus, and notched impact strength, were measured. The nanoclay dispersion was examined by X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that tensile and flexural modulus increased with an increase in nanoclay content. Also By increasing the nanoclay content at 2 wt.%, the tensile and flexural strengths of the composite were increased. However, the addition of 4 wt.% nanoclay resulted in reductions of these properties. Water absorption decreased with increasing nanoclay content. The structural examination of the bagasse polymer composite with X-ray diffraction showed that the nanoclay was distributed as an intercalated structure in the polymer matrix, and the d-spacing of layers decreased with increasing nanoclay content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that 2% nanoclay samples with lower and more uniform pores compared at 4% nanoclay samples, respectively

APPLICATION OF NSSC PULPING TO SUGARCANE BAGASSE

The NSSC pulping process was investigated to produce pulp from bagasse for corrugating board manufacture. The chemical contents including cellulose, lignin, ash, and extractives soluble in alcohol-acetone measured 55.75, 20.5, 1.85, and 3.25, respectively. The average fiber length, fiber diameter, lumen width, and cell wall thickness of bagasse were 1.59 mm, 20.96, 9.72, and 5.64 μm, respectively. The optimum conditions, with a yield of 74.95%, were achieved using 20 percent chemicals on the basis of sodium oxide, cooking temperature of 170 °C, and cooking time of 30 minutes. Pulp was refined to freeness 345 and 433 mL CSF according to Canadian standards. 127 g m-2 handsheets from both pulps were made and strength properties measured. Statistical analysis of results indicated that paper derived from freeness 345 and 433 mL CSF had better strength properties in all indices in comparison with NSSC pulp from hardwoods produced at Mazandaran Pulp and Paper factory, Iran

Effects of Montmorillonite Clay on Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Papers Made with Cationic Starch and Neutral Sulfite Semichemical or Old Corrugated Container Pulps

The impact of montmorillonite (nanoclay) addition on the mechanical and morphological properties of paper made from neutral sulfite semichemical (NSSC) and old corrugated container (OCC) pulps was evaluated in systems utilizing cationic starch for dry-strength. The nanoclay amount was considered at five levels, and cationic starch was applied at a 1% level. In OCC pulp, by increasing the nanoclay up to 4%, the tensile index and corrugating medium test (CMT) were increased; however, there was a decrease when the nanoclay was increased to 8%. By increasing the nanoclay to 2%, the tear and burst indexes and ring crush test (RCT) increased, but there was a reduction when the nanoclay was increased to 8%. Average air resistance tended to increase as the nanoclay was increased to 8%. In the case of NSSC pulp, by increasing the nanoclay amount from 0 to 8%, the average tensile, tear, and burst indexes decreased, while the air resistance increased. The CMT amount increased with increasing nanoclay content to 2%, but a reduction was seen for other levels. The RCT exhibited an increase with increasing nanoclay up to 4%, after which it decreased. Results suggest that the proportion of nanoclay added with cationic starch needs to be optimized, depending on furnish conditions

The effect of water vapor treatment of wood flour on physical and mechanical properties of hybrid composite made of poplar fiber and recycled polypropylene

Abstract The effect of adding steamed and non-steamed fiber on physical and mechanical properties of the composites made of recycled polypropylene was investigated. Recycled polypropylene was used as a basic matrix at a 57% level, and poplar fibers were used at 180 °C for 1 h at a constant level of 40% in two forms: non-steamed and steamed. The ratio of steamed fibers to non-steamed fibers in composites was 100:0, 50:50, and 0:100, respectively. For all components, the coupling agent was maleic anhydride at a level of 3%. Mixing was done using an internal mixer at 180 °C and 60 rpm, and the samples were constructed by injection molding method. To investigate the effect of steam treatment on the fiber structure and crystallization, X-ray diffraction analysis and FTIR spectra were used. The results showed that the Steaming had no significant effect on resistance. But with steaming increased mechanical properties and physical properties of reduced. Keywords: Composites, Recycled polypropylene, Steamed fiber, XRD, FTI

Effect of Steamed and Non-Steamed Populus deltoides Fiber on the Physical, Mechanical, and Morphological Characteristics of Composites Made from Virgin Polypropylene

The effects of steamed Populus deltoides fiber were studied relative to the physical, mechanical, and morphological characteristics of composites made from virgin polypropylene. Fibers of Populus deltoides were used during the reinforcement phase at 180 °C for 1 h. The tests were carried out with 57% of virgin polypropylene that was combined with 3% of maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene and 40% of wood fiber. The wood fiber portion consisted of either non-steamed fiber, steamed fiber, and an equal mixture of the two kinds of fiber. Mixing was done using an internal mixer at 180 °C and 60 rpm, and the standard samples were constructed by injection molding. Then, the physical and mechanical characteristics of samples were measured. To consider compatibility between the matrix and reinforcement phase, SEM pictures were taken from the break surface of composite samples. The results showed that the composites’ strengths were affected by steam, as components having steamed fibers had the best mechanical strength and dimensional stability, and also the least water absorption and thickness swelling

Insight on the Feasibility of Producing Durable Paper from Spruce Pulp using the Sulfate Process

Bleached spruce sulfate pulp was used in this study to produce paper handsheets. Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA( was introduced as a chelating agent in concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75%. The handsheets were exposed to UV light at wavelengths ranging from 330 to 440 nm, with time intervals of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 h. Finally, the strength properties were measured based on ISO standards. The strength indices of the handsheets were improved by adding the proper concentration of EDTA chelating agent, in comparison with the control sample. Furthermore, increasing the aging time reduced the breaking length, tear strength, folding endurance, burst strength, and tensile strength. Tear index, tensile strength, tearing strength, bursting strength, and folding endurance were decreased respectively by 41.9, 3.1, 28.2, 29.7, and 8.6 percent without EDTA treatment by increasing the aging time

Effect of Mixing Different Contents of OCC Pulp on NSSC Pulp Strength

This research was conducted to study changes in mechanical properties due to mixing of old corrugated container (OCC) pulp with virgin neutral sulfite semi-chemical (NSSC) pulp. The OCC pulp was collected after removal of printing, glued parts, and unwanted additives. To prevent cutting of fibers, dedicated containers were broken down by hand before pulping. Handsheets with a base weight of 127 g/m2 were made by mixing the NSSC and OCC pulps at proportions of 60, 70, and 80 wt% of NSSC. Mechanical properties, including tensile strength, burst strength, tearing strength, corrugated medium test, and ring crush test, were evaluated using TAPPI standards. Addition of up to 30% OCC improved the tensile strength, tear strength, and burst strength of the handsheets significantly in comparison with the control sample (21, 25, and 59%, respectively). However, the corrugated medium test and ring crush test decreased by about 13 and 9%, respectively. The results of this study revealed that mixing 30 wt% OCC with NSSC yielded a higher quality paper