PAPER making! FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TE Volume 7, Number 2, 2021
Using fibre property measurements to predict the tensile index of microfibrillated cellulose nanopaper Lewis Taylor, Jonathan Phipps, Stuart Blackburn, Richard Greenwood & David Skuse A wide variety of wood and non-wood cellulosic fibre sources were used as a feed to produce microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) using a grinding process. Nanopaper was formed using this product, and the tensile index was measured. The hemicellulose content of the feed fibres was measured, and was found to correlate with the production of finer microfibrils and a higher MFC tensile strength. The correlation with tensile strength was improved by the inclusion of a measurement of the MFC particle lengths as measured by a fibre image analyser, with the resulting relation fitting a modified Page Equation. It was hypothesised that the frequency of flaws in the feed fibre cross-section influences the length of the MFC particles produced, and so the zero- span tensile index of the fibres was measured as a proxy for this since it forces cross-sectional fibre breakage. The fibre zerospan tensile index was found to correlate with MFC particle length and so was used in its place in the equation. The resultant equation can predict MFC tensile strength from zero-span tensile index and hemicellulose content measurements of cellulosic fibres and can aid in optimising feedstock selection for mechanical MFC production processes. Contact information: L. Taylor,S. Blackburn, R. Greenwood & D. Skuse: School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK L. Taylor, J. Phipps & D. Skuse: Par Moor Centre, FiberLean Technologies, Par Moor Road, Par PL24 2SQ, UK Cellulose (2020) 27:6149 – 6162
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03226-2 Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
The Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA) is an independent organisation which operates for the general benefit of its members – both individual and corporate – dedicated to promoting and improving the technical and scientific knowledge of those working in the UK pulp and paper industry. Formed in 1960, it serves the Industry, both manufacturers and suppliers, by providing a forum for members to meet and network; it organises visits, conferences and training seminars that cover all aspects of papermaking science. It also publishes the prestigious journal Paper Technology International and the PITA Annual Review , both sent free to members, and a range of other technical publications which include conference proceedings and the acclaimed Essential Guide to Aqueous Coating .
Article 5 – Predicting Strength from Fibre Properties
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