Viscoelastic Properties of Pulp Suspensions of Bleached Sugarcane Bagasse: Effects of Consistency and Temperature

Abstract

The viscoelasticity of pulp suspensions of bleached sugarcane bagasse was studied in a stress/shear rate-controlled rheometer using concentric cylinders geometry. Results for the elastic (G') and viscous (G'') modulus, as well as complex viscosity (n*), are presented as a function of the suspension consistency (1.0 wt% ≤ Cm ≤ 6.0 wt%) and temperature (20, 40, and 60 °C). The results show an effect of the concentration and temperature on the viscoelastic moduli and cross-over point. A power law model was fitted to the experimental results for elastic modulus, It was found that the complex viscosity exhibited shear-thinning behavior for all the suspensions. Only the pulp concentration had an influence on this material function.

Keywords

• Pulp suspension
• Elastic modulus
• Sugarcane bagasse
• Viscous modulus
• Complex viscosity