The effects of natural weathering on different properties of paper made in Pars factory

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of natural weathering induced by critical climate conditions on quality of sugarcane bagasse lignocellulosic material in Pars factory. The experimental samples selected from fresh and also stored bagasse for durations of 6 months, 1, 2 and 5 years, were used. The mechanical and the chemical properties as well the color variations were measured on taken samples. The results showed that the long storage durations of bagasse significantly decreased the quality of row materials observed in hand sheet tensile and fold strengths. The results illustrated that the amount of Lignin and extractives increased (44 % in lignin and 32% in extractives amount respectively) and also decrease in amount of cellulose and hemicellulose was found (10% for cellulose and 43% for hemicellulose) during 5 years storage in yard. According to the results, there was an obvious difference in L and a color index of 5 years old bagasse in comparing with those of fresh bagasse. Finally it can be drawn that the use of discorded and weathered bagasse could cause the loss in the final products quality which means more chemical treatment for bleaching and more using long fiber in paper making process.

Keywords

• Natural weathering
• Bagasse
• tensile strength
• fold strength