BIO-RESOURCE, PAPER AND COATINGS

TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

IWA 383/2
PAPER TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY II
Experiment 3 : Chemical Effects in Kraft Pulp Recycling
Group : 5
Group Members : Lee Ying Fang
Farid Aiman Bin Nasir
Mohd Arif Bin Mohamad Samsudin
Lecturer

: Dr. Arniza bt Ghazali

107979
107970
107990

1. Abstract
The main concept of this experiment is to determine the chemical effect in Kraft pulp
recycling.The type of recycled paper used is paper from Kraft pulp.The paper sample was
tear into small piecess and soak into four litres of water for at least four hours before
disintegration.Somehow,when the first soaking hour is up,the water is adjusted to the
appropriate desired pH by using diluted acid HCL and NaOH.The group which deal with
chemical hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) and alkaline peroxide (AP),the pH is maintain by
resultant pH.Then, the sample is disintegrated by disintigrator at 5000rpm and diluted the
pulp slurry to 0.3% consistency with filtered tap water and stir the diluted stock to ensure
proper mixing.The stock consistency and pulp freeness is then determine before forming
handsheets in 400 ml total fluid. The optical,mechanical and physical testing is carried out
such as brightness, opacity,thickness, tensile strength, bursting strength, tearing resistance
and folding endurance as recommended by the standard TAPPI procedure.Thus the amount
and quality of fibre bonding is the most important factor affecting the strength. Increased in
bonding caused by chemicals used also contribute in increasing the tensile strength as the
fibre contact area is increased.

2. Introduction
Paper recycling basically is the process of reused by taking the required fibrous raw
materials (pulps) and non- fibrous component (additives),treat and modify each furnish
constituent, and then combined all the ingredients continuously and uniformly into the
papermaking stock to produce paper.Usually for the enhancing the strength of paper, it will
mixed with fresh wood pulp or virgin pulp due to its long fiber properties. There are three
categories of paper that can be used as feedstock for making recycled paper which are mill
broke, pre-consumer waste, and post-consumer waste.
Paper cannot be recycled over and over again because since it turns into secondary
fibers, the strength properties surely will be drops due to case of fiber shortening. That is why
virgin pulp (long fiber) is usually mixed with recycled paper to support back the strength
properties of the paper. The repulping of the recycled paper is different from the virgin pulp
pulping process. More steps of removal contaminants are required to make sure the pulp will
be free from impurities. This is due to the raw material used in recycle paper is secondary

fiber which contain ink, stickiest, adhesive and etc. Thus, repulping process of secondary
fibre consume more chemical and high energy than virgin pulp pulping process.
Repulping is an important part for papermaking process because it will affect the
final yield for papers especially the strength properties. The purpose of repulper is to produce
low consistency pulp slurry usually ranges from 4.5-5% to broken down fiber particles, and
rendering the pulp more uniform. There is no cutting action on fibers.Optional chemicals
such as NaOH, HCL, AP or H2O2 are added by observing percentage of fibers swelling to
improve slushing by absorbing water to separate the fibers and thus high temperature are not
required, unless there is significant level of wet strength additive presents. In general, the
pulping process is continuous thus it will be agitated to form a slushy pulp of fiber. In pulping
system, the concept of disintegrated is done by vortex and shear forces which cause the fibre
to separate. The shearing forces only causing the fiber to swell due to water absorption and
tend to separate.In addition, the present of chemicals will contribute to the disintegrating of
fibres. The vortex intensity is dependent on pulp consistency. Thus, it provides more fiber
separation, control the level of consistency and increase uniformity of stock. One noticeable
effect of repulping is the spectacular alter on dewatering properties of the pulp. Pulp freeness
(CSF) is rapidly reduced as repulping proceeds, mainly due to the increased concentration of
fines. The freeness testing is to measure the freeness of pulp stock and stage of absorption
water for pulp.
The pH value for the aqueous medium is usually alkaline. The alkalinity results in the
softening and swelling of the paper fibers by saponification or hydrolysis which has to be
carefully determined for each furnish. The brightness increases with increasing pH but too
high pH will cause decrease in brightness. This phenomenon, called alkali darkening, has
been determined as due to the formation of chromophores in lignin. In the acidic condition,
low pH will also cause low brightness as acidic condition prevents the water penetration
inside fibre, hence, the fibre may not swell and the fiber will hard to disintegrate into
individual fibres. When the pH is neutral, there are no much different in brightness. Thus, a
careful balance is required in maintaining the right pH so that the fibers soften and swell up,
hydrogen peroxide performance is improved and formation of chromophores is minimized.

The handsheets was cut according to Figure 1 in Appendix B. Test of normal tensile, folding
endurance, burst, tearing strength, brightness and opacity were carried adapted from TAPPI
220.
i.

Bursting Strength

Specimen was placed and clamp between two concentric platens of Mullen tester, with each
having a circular opening in the centre. Pressure was applied to the underside of the specimen
by a rubber diaphragm which expands by the hydraulic pressure showed by the pressure
gauge.
ii.

Tensile Strength

Specimen was aligned and clamps between two jaws neatly an upper, moveable jaw and a
lower, stationary jaw. The upper jaw traverses upward at a constant rate when the test started.
The load (N) is recorded when the specimen break and calculated the tensile strength (N/m),
tensile index (Nm/g) and breaking length (km).
iii.

Tearing Resistance

Movable pendulum sector arc of Elmendorf tear test was fixed prior test in position from
which it can be released. The test specimen was fastened (a pile of 2 or 4 sheets) between the
two clamps with the bottom edge against nicely to the clamp bottom. An initial slit was made
and the sector arc was released from its fixed position. The energy required to tear the
specimen (mN) was recorded and the tear index based on the number of sheets used was
calculated.
iv.

Folding Endurance

The spring-loading jaw of the MIT testes was pressed with the appropriate weight (0.5-1.5
kg) and fastened the screw to fix jaw at level. The upper edge of the specimen strip was
clamped to the spring-loading upper jaw and the bottom edge was clamped to the oscillation
folding head firmly and neatly. The fold counter was reset and the screw of the upper jaw was
released. Folding test was started and recorded the folding endurance as a number of double
folds as shown by the counter.

3. Natural phenomenon
Recycling means repulp the fibers so many times and has been thought the fibre
swelling capability, and the flexibility of fibres will be reduce. The restricted swelling of
recycled fibres has been scribed to hornification. Hornification imply both a reduction in
the amount of water that fibers hold within their cell walls, and also a tendency for
rewetted fibers to be stiffer and less conformable than before being subjected to drying
or other kinds of stresses. Hornification also can be used when cellulosic fibers are
subjected to other kinds of stresses, including heating without drying as long as there is a
simultaneous loss of water-holding ability and strength potential.According to this concept
the process of repulping tends to open up submicroscopic spaces within the lamellar
structure of the fiber cell walls.Evidence of fibrillation during repulping includes swelling
in the thickness direction of fibers and also an increase in wet fiber flexibility.
In repulping system, the concept of disintegrated is done by vortex and shear forces
which cause the fibre to separate. The shearing forces only causing the fiber to swell due to
water absorption and tend to separate. The vortex intensity is dependent on pulp consistency.
In addition, the present of chemicals will contribute to the disintegrating of fibres.The
chemical added cause the fiber to swell. During the repulping process, the higher pH (alkaline
condition) is more preferable. This is because alkaline condition promotes the fibers to swell
easily than acidic condition. When the fibers swell, the water absorption of fibers increase,
thus the fibers become more flexible to disintegrated into individual fiber.

4. Methodology

4.1. Materials and apparatus

Paper from Kraft Pulp, HCl (1.2M), NaOH, H 2O2, pH meter, filtered tap
water or deionised water, pail, 1L plastic beaker, disintegrator, analytical
balance, handsheet making equipment.
4.2. Procedures
1. The provided papers made from kraft pulp were examined. Their
features such as colour, coarseness in comparison to the given A4
papers were recorded. Their brightness, opacity and thickness were
measured. The papers density was determined from the grammage
value.

2. With clean hands, the provided samples were tore down to small
size of 1.5cmx1.5cm. Moisture content was determined.
3. 48g OD of sample in (1) was weighed and soaked in 4L water for at
least 4 hours. When the first soaking hour is up, the suspension was
stirred and had it pH measured. Observation was recorded. The pH
was controlled to desired values. The pH value for every hour was
recorded.
4. The suspended pulp was disintegrated at 5000rpm. Colour was
recorded. Pulp slurry was diluted to 0.3% consistency and stirred
well.
5. The consistency of pulp stock for forming handsheet in 400ml total
fluid was calculated. Stock consistency was adjusted accordingly.
The pH of the prepared stock solution was measured. Colour change
was recorded.
6. After pulp freeness was determined, handsheet was made in the
amount recommended by the standard TAPPI procedure.
7. The wet handsheet which adheres on the blotting paper was dried
by placing the wet handsheet and the blotting paper on the hot
plate. A dry blotting paper was put on the wet handsheet and the
handsheet was dried by ironed. After the handsheet was fully dried,
the hot dry handsheet was removed from the blotting papers and
cooled down in a desiccator for 10 minute. A dry 100ml beaker was
placed in a digital analytical balance and the tare button was
pressed. The dry handsheet was taken out from the desiccator and
was placed into the tared beaker. The weight of the handsheet was
written down to the nearest 0.01g.
8. The drying and weighing steps were repeated until a constant
weight was obtained. The pulp consistency was calculated based on
the weight of the moisture-free handsheet. Based on the pulp stock
consistency calculated earlier:
i.
The volume of pulp stock required for producing a
handsheet with 60 grammage (60g/m 2) was calculated
ii.

or
The volume of the water which should be added or
removed from the pulp stock in order to adjust the
consistency to 0.30% was calculated.

9. The mesh and cylinder of the handsheet machine was cleaned and
the cylinder was then locked tightly. The pulp stock in the bucket
was stirred thoroughly and the required volume of pulp stock was
immediately measured by using a graduated cylinder. The measured
amount of the stock was poured into the sheet machine (cylinder)
and the start button was pressed to fill the cylinder with water. At
the same time, the graduated cylinder was rinsed with water and
the rinsed was poured into the sheet cylinder.
10.
The handsheet machine automatically release air bubble when
the water reach to the required level and then the water was
drained out from the handsheet cylinder to form a wet sheet on the
mesh. The cylinder was immediately unlocked and opened after the
water had drained from sheet. Two pieces of standard blotting
papers was placed on the drained sheet. The flat couch plate was
laid centrally on the blotting papers and couch roll was placed
gently on the middle of the plate. Without applying other pressure,
the roll was rotated backward and forward for five complete roll
within the range of 8 to 12 seconds. After that, the roll was lifted.
The handsheet, blotters and covering couch plate was removed
from the wire mesh. The sheet was adhered to the underside of the
lower blotter. The blotter with the adhered handsheet (handsheet
side up) was placed on two fresh blotters and was located centrally
on the press plate by using the press template. The handsheet was
covered with a polish plate (polished side down) and followed by two
fresh blotters which was ready to receive next couch blotter and
handsheet. The mesh in the sheet machine in positioned was
washed by turning on the water, occasionally the surface of the
mesh was rubbed with fingertips, and then the next test sheet was
made as described. About 10 sets of blotters, handsheet and plate
were stacked in the press plate.
11.
For first pressing, the cover of the press was placed in position
and the wing nuts were screwed hand-tight. The 1 st cycle button was
pressed and the pressure increased to 435kPa (50psig) in 30
seconds for duration of 5 minute. After the first pressing, the whole

stack was removed to one side. The plate and the sheet (handsheet
side up) were laid centrally on two dry blotters by using the press
template as a guide. The sheet was covered with two blotters and
the plate, sheet and blotters was laid continuously. The order of the
sheet was reversed in the second pressing. The cover was placed on
position as before and the pressure was raised within 30 second to
345kPa (50psig) for 2 minute.
12.
The stack was removed from the press and each plate with
the handsheet was fitted into the drying rings. The edge of each
handsheets was ensured to be in contact with the rubber of the next
ring above it. A heavy weight was placed on the pile of rings after
the whole stacks were fitted on the rings. The sheets were dried in a
standard conditioning room (as specified in TAPPI 402: 502% RH
and 231C). The sheets were left to become fully dried in position
in the rings before they were removed from the plates.
13.
Steps 2 to 12 is repeated using 24 od weight of pulp for
second recycling stage along with 2L of water for soaking.
4.3. Paper testing procedures
4.3.1.
Bursting Strength
Specimen was placed and clamp between two concentric platens of
Mullen tester, with each having a circular opening in the centre. Pressure
was applied to the underside of the specimen by a rubber diaphragm
which expands by the hydraulic pressure showed by the pressure gauge.
4.3.2.

Tensile Strength

Specimen was aligned and clamps between two jaws neatly an upper,
moveable jaw and a lower, stationary jaw. The upper jaw traverses upward
at a constant rate when the test started. Recorded the load (N) when the
specimen break and calculated the tensile strength (N/m), tensile index
(Nm/g) and breaking length (km).
4.3.3.

Tearing Resistance

Movable pendulum sector arc of Elmendorf tear test was fixed prior test in
position from which it can be released. The test specimen was fasten (a

pile of 2 or 4 sheets) between the two clamps with the bottom edge
against nicely to the clamp bottom. An initial slit was made and the sector
arc was released from its fixed position. The energy required to tear the
specimen (mN) was recorded and the tear index based on the number of
sheets used was calculated.
4.3.4.

Folding Endurance

The spring-loading jaw of the MIT testes was pressed with the appropriate
weight (0.5-1.5 kg) and fastened the screw to fix jaw at level. The upper
edge of the specimen strip was clamped to the spring-loading upper jaw
and the bottom edge was clamped to the oscillation folding head firmly
and neatly. The fold counter was reset and the screw of the upper jaw was
released. Folding test was started and recorded the folding endurance as
a number of double folds as shown by the counter.

5. Function of Chemical Used

NaOH : To maintain the alkalinity of the solution
HCl : To maintain the acidity of the solution
H2O2 : Using hydrogen peroxide to delignify chemical pulp requires more
vigorous conditions than for brightening mechanical pulp. Both pH and
temperature are higher when treating chemical pulp. The chemistry is
very similar to that involved in oxygen delignification, in terms of the
radical species involved and the products produced. Hydrogen peroxide is
sometimes used with oxygen in the same bleaching stage and this is gives
the letter designation Op in bleaching sequences. Metal ions, particularly
manganese catalyse the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, so some
improvement in the efficiency of peroxide bleaching can be achieved if the
metal levels are controlled

6. Results and Discussion

6.1. Comparison on features of kraft and A4 paper
Based on Table 1, kraft paper has darker colour compared to A4
paper since the virgin pulp of kraft paper undergo unbleached kraft
chemical pulping process. Additionally, this causes kraft paper to have
lower brightness value, 18.12% compared to A4 paper, 86.47% since A4
paper is usually used on printing and writing purposes, while A4 paper
also have smoother surface compared to kraft paper since it contains
more additive like starch to prevent flaking due to its commercial usage.
Meanwhile, opacity for both papers is about the same along with
their thickness. However, A4 paper has higher grammage and density
compared to kraft paper because the fibre content found in single sheet of
A4 paper is more than kraft paper. This is because the fibres in A4 paper
undergo better fibre consolidation and bonding due to its commercial
purpose.

Table 1: Comparison on features of kraft paper and A4 papers

Type
of
paper
Kraft
paper
A4
paper

Colour

Brightne

Coarsen

ss

ess

Brown

18.12

White

86.47

Slightly
rough
Smooth

Tappi

Print

Opacity,

Opacity,

92.39
91.17

Gramma

Thicknes

Density,

ge, g/m

s, mm

g/cm

96.63

51.99

0.0876

0.59

93.19

72.72

0.0995

0.73

6.2. First recycling process

In this experiment, group 5 used kraft pulp that had undergone alkaline
disintegration using alkaline peroxide with 0.5% NaOH and 0.6% H2O2.
6.2.1.

CFS Freeness testing

Based on Graph 1, pulp freeness value for group 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7

shows higher freeness value compared to group 1. This is because
disintegrate kraft paper under acidic condition promotes delignification
causing lignin removal as acidic condition made the hydrolysis of lignin to
be easier. The presence of cellulose which have hydroxyl group will absorb
water giving lower freeness value. Meanwhile, other group uses either
neutral or alkaline pH to disintegrate the pulp where there will be less
water absorption since there are still lignin content surround the cellulose.

Freeness, ml

500
400
300
200
100
0

430.5
261

465

461

402.5
308

253

Group

Graph 1: Pulp freeness among groups

6.2.2.

Optical properties

Based on Table 2, the increase in pH caused increase in brightness

of kraft paper under alkaline condition for alkaline peroxide shown by
group 7, 26.08%. This is because pH has an effect on water penetration
into the fibre whereby the fibre will swell. The increase in pH will also give
deinking effect where there will be removal of ink from pulp giving
brighter handsheet. Other than that, the alkaline condition with presence
of peroxide will also provide delignification resulting less light absorption
by chromophores.
Meanwhile, low pH will prevent water penetration into fibre and high
pH will cause the fibre to be slippery. In acidic condition, low pH caused
lower brightness since acidic condition prevents water penetration
whereby group 1 has the lowest brightness value, 23.46%. This is because
there is no fibre swelling due to the fibre pores does not enlarge and the
fibres are not slippery resulting absent formation of foams. Moreover,
neutral pH does not give much different in brightness value since the
condition is neither alkaline nor acidic.
On the other hand, opacity for group undergo alkaline recycling
process has lower value compared to those in acidic conditions (Graph 2).
This is because soaking pulp in alkaline condition promotes fibre swelling
where the fibres will be more flexible and this improves the bonding ability

between fibres. The fibres will have better comformability giving better
bonding and less light scattering during the handsheet formation. Thus,
there will be lesser light being scattered around the fibres giving lower
opacity for handsheet produced from acidic recycling.
Furthermore, brightness of non-recycle handsheet has lower
brightness than recycled ones (Table 1)(Table 2). This is because the
usage of chemicals either acid or alkaline will give delignification effect
causing the reduction in chromophoric structure that absorbs blue light.
On the contrary, pulp that undergo recycling under neutral pH does not
show much changes since there is less swelling effect experience by
fibres.
Table 2: Final pH value of pulp stock for handsheet making and brightness
Group
Condition
Chemicals
Final pH
value
Brightness,
%

1
Acidic
HCl

2
Neutral
NaOH

3
Alkaline
NaOH

4
Neutral
H2O2

5
Alkaline
AP

6
Alkaline
AP

7
Alkaline
AP

4.07

7.25

7.11

6.40

10.12

10.54

10.22

23.46

23.39

23.43

23.98

22.70

23.56

26.08

97.1

7
6

98.59
98.8

97.35

98.69

Groups

98.34

99.26
Opacity P

98.84
99.25

3
2

98.31

98.35

95.5

99.61

96

96.5

97

97.5

98

Opacity, %

98.5

Opacity T

99.24
98.85
99

99.5

100

Graph 2: Tappi and print opacity of handsheet among groups

6.2.3.

Physical properties

Initially, non-recycled kraft paper posses density, thickness and

grammage with values 0.59 g/cm, 0.0876 mm and 51.99 g/m
respectively. Based on Graph 3, the thickness for handsheets from all
groups is about the same since similar disintegration is carried our which
is 5000rpm resolution whereby the rate of fibres distribution is quite
similar from each other. Meanwhile, group 7 has the least thickness,
0.1290 mm compared to other group because the pulp undergo greater
revolution compared to other groups causing greater fibre dispersion and
fibre consolidation. However, all the recycled kraft paper shows increment
in thickness value compared to non-recycled ones. This is because the
rate of revolution undergone by recycled pulp is insufficient to break the
pulp into individual fibres causing the stacking of fibres resulting voids in
between fibres.
Next, density and grammage (Table 3) for group 4 indicates the
highest value that the porosity in the handsheet is lower than other group
and the fibre undergo better hydrogen bonding with each other due to
higher contact area. Meanwhile, handsheet from group 1 has the lowest
density and grammage compared to other group because kraft recycling
in acidic condition inhibits fibre swelling causing lesser fibre contact area
along with less chemical bonding. This creates voids between the fibres. In
contrast, there is reduction in density compared to non-recycled kraft
paper with value 0.59 g/cm due to weaker fibre consolidation since the
pulps had undergone acidic chemical treatment.

Table 3: Grammage of handsheet among groups

Group

Grammage,
g/m

59.39

60.91

64.50

70.50

64.34

60.42

60.97

0.6
0.5
0.4

Handsheet physical properties

0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1

Groups

Graph 3: Density and thickness of handsheet among groups

6.2.4.

Mechanical properties

Based on Graph 4, the strength properties such as tensile index,

tearing index and burst index of recycled handsheet of kraft paper
increased as pH increased because alkaline pulping condition will promote
fibre swelling. This can be observed from handsheet produced by group 5,
6, and 7. Water molecules will penetrate into the fibre wall causing the
fibre to swell and increase the flexibility of fibre. This increament in fibre
flexibility allow the improvement of fibre comformability during handsheet
formation resulting the contact area and bonding between fibres to
increase as well. In addition, the treatment of pulp with alkaline peroxide
gives better pulp strength due to better delignification compared to other
condition. Thus, the strength properties of handsheet will increase.

Likewise, paper recycling at lower pH gives lesser strength

increment due to lack of fibre swelling and less delignification effect.
However, group 1 shows higher tensile index even though the pulp
undergo acidic recycling process. This is due to error in setting up the
experiment and pulp contamination. Furthermore, folding endurance for
paper undergo neutral recycling carried out by group 2 and 3 is lower
compared to those undergo alkaline recycling because there is hardly any
changes in fibre properties since neutral condition does not lead to any
fibre swelling. Handsheet undergone alkaline peroxide recycling such as
group 5, 6 and 7 will have better folding endurance because the fibres in
handsheet are flexible due to water absorption and delignification leading
to increment of fibre flexibility.
Overall, there is reduction in burst index and folding endurance of
recycled handsheet (Graph 4) compared to non-recycled kraft paper
whereby burst index and fold endurance of non-recycled kraft paper is
3.08 kpa.m/g and 13.8 folds respectively. This is because there is some
loss in fibre strength after recycling causing the bursting effect of recycled
handsheet decrease. Same goes to the folding properties of recycled
handsheet since the fibre strength decrease and the handsheet produced
is brittle compared to non-recycled ones. Pulp that undergoes neutral
disintegration does not show much change in their properties.
Meanwhile, tensile index for recycled handsheet also decreased in
general compared to non-recycled ones, 35.49Nm/g. This is because there
is some reduction in fibre length by slushing during disintegration causing
less contact area for bonding after recycling. However, the tearing index
of recycled handsheet shows increment in value compared to nonrecycled ones, 6.78mN.m/g due to the increase in fibre flexibility since it
undergoes chemical processing resulting swelling of fibre especially in
alkaline treatment. Thus, force applied during tearing will distribute to
larger area causing more work required to overcome the frictional force.

30
25
20

Handsheet mechanical properties

Tensile index

15

Tearing index
Burst index

10

folding endurance
5
0
1

Groups

Graph 4: Mechanical properties of handsheet among groups

6.3. Comparison between first and second recycling

6.3.1.
Optical properties
Based on Graph 5, there is increased in brightness value after
secondary recycling compared to first recycling. This is because the fibre
had undergo further chemical process by lignin removal where the
chromophoric structure is reduced causing the light absorption reduce
significantly. In other words, NaOH, H2O2 and alkaline peroxide gives
reduction in chromophoric structure or the alternation of chromophoric
structure.
Based on Graph 6, there is reduction of opacity value for tappi and
print opacity after second recycling. This shows that further chemicals
usage during pulp disintegration shorten the fibre length since the fibres is
experiencing hornification effect because the fibres had undergone
several recycling stages. However, the contact area between adjacent
fibres increased since fibres moved closer to each other due to fibre
shortening. This gives less light scattering due to lower porosity between

fibres. Other than that, the removal of lignin in alkaline treatment exposed
cellulose chain causing the fibres to be more flexible results better
consolidation during handsheet formation. This gives lesser light
scattering effect.
28
27
26
25
Brightness, %

24
23
22
21
20
1

First recycling

Second recycling

Graph 5: Brightness of handsheet among two recycling stages

101
100
99
98
97
Opacity, %

96
95
94
93
92
1

First recycling

Second recycling

Graph 6: Opacity of handsheet among two recycling stages

6.3.2.

CSF Freeness testing

Based on Graph 7, the pulp freeness increased gradually after

second stage recycling. Although pulp that undergoes alkaline treatment
can experience swelling and water absorption, but the fibre undergoes
second recycling stage does not show much swelling power. This is
because the fibres has experienced hornification effect whereby the
bonding between fibres is not broken during rehydration process due to
high degree of crosslinking between microfibril during the drying of
handsheet after first recycling process. Thus, fibre only swells to certain
extent causing less swelling and flexibility.
600

400
Freeness, ml

513 503

465
402.5

461
430.5

500

384

364

451444.5
395.5

308

300 261

253

200
100
0
1

First recycling

Second recycling

Graph 7: Freeness of pulp stock among two recycling stages

6.3.3.

Mechanical properties

Based on Graph 8, most of the tensile index of handsheets after

secondary bleaching reduced. Although alkaline peroxide treatment can
improve the mechanical properties of handsheet by delignification,
subsequent recycling of pulp caused hornification whereby fibre will lose
its swelling ability resulting from previous drying effect. In addition, these
dried fibres will lose their comformability and swelling capacity causing
less interfiber bonding. The lack of fibre bonding causes reduction in fibre
contact area resulting weak handsheet produced. Furthermore, acidic
treatment on pulp gives further lignin and cellulose hydrolysis resulting
fibre losses its strength and bonding strength. Thus, the tensile index of

handsheet reduced after second recycling whereby the ability for the test
sample to resist rupture has lessened.
Based on Graph 9, burst strength and folding strength of
handsheets decreased after second recycling. This is because the
hornification effect after subsequent recycling and drying caused the fibre
to loss its ability to absorb water causing the fibre swell to certain extent
only. Since this phenomenon caused reduction in interfibre bonding, burst
strength of handsheet after second recycling drops since the fibres unable
to withstand the pressure applied onto the handsheet. Meanwhile, the
folding strength of handsheet decreased after second recycling occurred
because the fibre has loss its flexibility since the fibre unable to swell
during the rehydration process as there is no breaking of bond from fibres.
The latter fibre appears to be stiffer.
Furthermore, tearing strength of handsheet produced from second
recycling also decreased slightly compared to first recycling because the
effect subsequent drying from previous paper making process caused
thermaldegradation of cellulose chain. Besides, the frequent chemical
treatment caused the fibre to become brittle and lack of flexibility as well
as loss in bonding strength since the fibres only swell to certain extent.
This caused the handsheet produced to be rigid and the force applied onto
handsheet during tearing test only focus on small region resulting less
work required to overcome the frictional force between fibres.

30
25
20

Tensile index, Nm/g

15
10
5
0
1

First recycling

Second recycling

Graph 8: Tensile strength of handsheet based on two recycling stages

14
12
10
8
Mechanical properties

6
4
2
0
1

First recycling

Second recycling

Graph 9: Mechanical properties of handsheet based on two recycling

stages

6.3.4.

Physical properties

Based on Graph 10, the density of handsheet produced after second

recycling are about the same since there is less fibre swelling occured to
improve the interfibre bonding after rehydrating of the pulp sheet.
Meanwhile, the same thing goes to thickness of handsheet as well where
the consolidation of fibre is at its minimum due to rigidity of fibre because
the bonding between fibres is not broken even the pulp sheet had
undergone rewetting process. However, the thickness of handsheet after
second recycling still shows slight decrement since the weak fibres
undergo shrinkage during drying process whereby hydrogen bond formed
between fibres even though the strength is weaker.
0.6
0.5
0.4
Physical properties

0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1

First recycling

Second recycling

Graph 10: Density and thickness of handsheet based on two recycling

stages
6.4. Colour feature of kraft paper

Lightness

Top kraft
61.58

Test
60.79

A
b

Redness
Yellowness

6.18
19.81

4.01
15.61

7. Calculations
7.1. Alkaline Peroxide (AP) Recycling First and Second
Recycling
1. 0.5% NaOH
- Weight of pulp (OD) = 48g
-

Weight of NaOH required, g

0.5
48 g
100

0.24 g NaOH

2. 0.6% H2O2
- Given H2O2 = 10%
-

Weight of full strength bleach charge (A)

48 g

0.6
100

0.288 g

Weight of chemical in 100ml solution (C) = 10g H2O2

A 100ml

Volume of chemical solution required

C

0.288 100
10

2.88 ml H 2 O 2

7.2. Handsheet Making (First Recycling)

OD weight of bleached pulp from second stage bleaching = 48g
Moisture content = 58.42%
Weight of wet pulp

58.42=

AD 48
100
AD

AD =115.44 g

Water in wet pulp

=115.44-48.00

=67.44g
=67.44ml

To Achieve Consistency 0.3% for Handsheet

0.3=

48
100
volume pulp

Volume pulp = 16 000ml

Total volume required = 16 000ml
.: Volume of water needed to add

= 16 000 4000 67.44

=11932.56ml
Handsheet Testing
Weight of pulp pad = 1.05g
Consistency=

1.05
100
400

Consistency=0.2625
.: The new volume of pulp required to produce 1.2g handsheet:
0.2625=

1.2
100
volume

volume=457.14 ml

7.3. Pulp Freeness Testing (First recycling)

Corrected CFS Freeness at 0.3% Consistency
Temperature of pulp stock = 29OC
Volume of water = 530ml

.: value to be subtracted = 37
Pulp OD weight, g = 2.61g, volume used for freeness testing = 1000ml

Pulp freeness consistency

2.61
100
1000

0.261
0.26

.: Based on T227, points of freeness to be subtracted = 28

Thus, correct CFS at 20OC, 0.3% consistency
= 430-37-28
=465ml
7.4. pH change during pulp soaking (First Recycle)
Time (hour)
0
1
2
3
4

pH
10.73
10.47
10.35
10.27
10.12

Observation : pulp turn from dark brown to light brown after soak with
alkaline peroxide
7.5. Handsheet Making (Second Recycling)
OD weight of bleached pulp from second stage bleaching = 24g
Moisture content = 61.56%
Weight of wet pulp

61.56

AD24
100
AD

AD =62.43 g
Water in wet pulp

=62.43 - 24.00

=38.43g
=38.43ml
To Achieve Consistency 0.3% for Handsheet
0.3=

24
100
volume pulp

Volume pulp = 8 000ml

Total volume required = 8 000ml
.: Volume of water needed to add

= 8 000 2 000

=6 000 ml
Handsheet Testing
Weight of pulp pad = 1.2305g
Consistency=

1.2305
100
400

Consistency=0.3076

.: The new volume of pulp required to produce 1.2g handsheet: 400ml

7.6. Pulp Freeness Testing (Second recycling)

Corrected CFS Freeness at 0.3% Consistency

Temperature of pulp stock = 29OC

Volume of water = 510ml
.: value to be subtracted = 38
Pulp OD weight, g = 2.72g, volume used for freeness testing = 1000ml
Pulp freeness consistency

2.72
100
1000

0.27
.: Based on T227, points of freeness to be subtracted = 21
Thus, correct CFS at 20OC, 0.3% consistency
= 510 - 38 - 21
=451ml

7.7. pH change during pulp soaking (Second Recycle)

Time (hour)
0
1
2
3
4

pH
10.85
10.68
10.54
10.35
10.23

Observation : pulp turn from light brown to yellowish-brown after soak

with alkaline peroxide

7.8. Handsheet Testing

7.8.1.
First recycling

7.8.1.1.

I.

Physical properties

Weight

Samples
1
2
3
4
5
Average
II.

Thickness
Sample
1
2
3
4
5

III.

Weight (g)
1.2879
1.2992
1.2360
1.2892
1.3213
1.2867

Thickness (mm)
Average
1
2
3
4
5
0.1371
0.1783
0.1400
0.1325
0.1378
0.1451
0.1429
0.1729
0.1424
0.1313
0.1550
0.1529
0.1359
0.1456
0.1311
0.1309
0.1434
0.1374
0.2009
0.1450
0.1354
0.1428
0.1331
0.1514
0.1781
0.1440
0.1498
0.1420
0.1440
0.1516
Average sum of 5 samples thickness 0.1477

Grammage
Grammage

Sample
1
2
3
4
5
Average

IV.

Density

,g
( m2g )= weightareaof ,paper
m2

where area of handsheet=0.02m2

Weight (g)
1.2879
1.2992
1.2360
1.2892
1.3213
1.2867

Grammage (g/m)
64.40
64.96
61.80
64.46
66.07
64.34

Sample

Weight (g)

Volume (cm)

1
2
3
4
5
Average

1.2879
1.2992
1.2360
1.2892
1.3213
1.2867

2.902
3.058
2.748
3.028
3.032
2.954

Density
(g/cm)
0.4438
0.4249
0.4498
0.4258
0.4358
0.4356

Volume, cm = (0.02 m x 100 cm) x (thickness, mm x 0.1 cm)

7.8.1.2.
I.

Mechanical properties
Tensile Strength

Tensile strength(um)=

load , N
strip width , m

Tensileindex

strength, um
( umg )= tensile
grammage , g /m2

*paper width=15mm=0.015m
tensile index
Breaking length ( km )=
, where um --> kg/m (divide by 9.807)
9.807

Sample
1
2
3
4
5
Average

II.

Load, N
20.3
19.7
19.2
17.9
12.1
17.84

Tear Resistance
Tearing index ,

Extension,
mm
3.7
3.4
3.4
2.7
1.5
2.94

Tensile
strength,
N/m
1353.33
1313.33
1280
1193.33
806.67
1189.33

Grammage
, g/m2
64.40
64.96
61.80
64.46
66.07
64.34

mN . m2 Tearing strength , mN
=
g
Grammage , g/m2

Tensile
index,
Nm/g
21.02
20.22
20.71
18.51
12.21
18.53

Breaking
length, km
2.14
2.06
2.11
1.89
1.25
1.89

Sample

Tear strength (mN)

Grammage, g/m2

1
2
3
4
5
Average

509.946
542.211
504.062
502.106
515.830
514.831

64.40
64.96
61.80
64.46
66.07
64.34

III.

(mN.m2)/g
7.9184
8.3468
8.1563
7.7894
7.8073
8.0017

Folding Endurance
Sample
1
2
3
4
5
Average

IV.

Tear index

Folding Endurance
5
4
3
4
5
4.2

Burst Testing
Burst index ,

kPa . m2 Burst strength , kPa

=
g
Grammage , g /m2

1kgf/cm = _X98.0665_> kPa

Sample
1
2
3
4
5
Average

Burst strength,

Burst strength,

Grammage,

Burst index,

kgf/cm2
2.058
1.392
1.725
1.654
1.579
1.682

kPa
201.82
136.51
169.16
162.20
154.85
164.95

g/m2
64.40
64.96
61.80
64.46
66.07
64.34

kPa.m2/g
3.13
2.10
2.74
2.52
2.34
2.56

7.8.2. Second recycling

7.8.2.1.
I.

Physical properties
Weight

Samples
1
2
3
4
5
Average

II.

Thickness

Sample
1
2
3
4
5

III.

Weight (g)
1.2017
1.1959
1.2386
1.2570
1.2623
1.2311

Thickness (mm)
Average
1
2
3
4
5
0.1497
0.1236
0.1392
0.1447
0.1379
0.1408
0.2025
0.1361
0.1335
0.1433
0.1366
0.1505
0.1447
0.1361
0.1442
0.1369
0.1302
0.1387
0.1393
0.1430
0.1367
0.1323
0.1478
0.1400
0.1430
0.1458
0.1411
0.1358
0.1352
0.1404
Average sum of 5 samples thickness 0.1419

Grammage
Grammage

Sample
1
2
3
4
5
Average
IV.

,g
( m2g )= weightareaof ,paper
m2

where area of handsheet=0.02m2

Weight (g)
1.2017
1.1959
1.2386
1.2570
1.2623
1.2311

Grammage (g/m)
60.085
59.795
61.930
62.850
63.115
61.555

Density
Sample

Weight (g)

Volume (cm)

Density
(g/cm)

1
2
3
4
5
Average

1.2017
1.1959
1.2386
1.2570
1.2623
1.2311

20
20
20
20
20
20

0.4267
0.3976
0.4471
0.4496
0.4502
0.4338

Volume, cm = (0.02 m x 100 cm) x (thickness, mm x 0.1 cm)

7.8.2.2.
I.

Mechanical properties
Tensile Strength

Tensile strength(um)=

load , N
strip width , m

Tensileindex

strength, um
( umg )= tensile
grammage , g /m2

*paper width=15mm=0.015m
tensile index
Breaking length ( km )=
, where um --> kg/m (divide by 9.807)
9.807

Sample

Load, N

1
2
3
4
5
Average

II.

Extension,
mm

15.3
14.2
17.9
18.8
10.5
15.34

2.1
2.1
2.1
3.1
1.5
2.18

Tear Resistance
Tearing index ,

Tensile
strength,
N/m
1020.00
946.67
1193.33
1253.3
700.00
1022.67

Grammage
, g/m2
60.085
59.795
61.930
62.850
63.115
61.555

Tensile
index,
Nm/g
16.98
15.83
19.27
19.94
11.09
16.61

Breaking
length, km
1.731
1.714
1.965
2.033
1.131
1.694

mN . m2 Tearing strength , mN
=
g
Grammage , g/m2

Sample

Tear strength (mN)

Grammage, g/m2

1
2
3
4

418.744
490.333
467.777
445.222

60.085
59.795
61.930
62.850

Tear index
(mN.m2)/g
6.96919
8.20023
7.55332
7.08388

5
Average

III.

63.115
61.555

450.125
454.440

Folding Endurance
Sample
1
2
3
4
5
Average

IV.

7.13183
7.38769

Folding Endurance
3
2
4
4
3
3.2

Burst Testing
Burst index ,

kPa . m2 Burst strength , kPa

=
g
Grammage , g /m2

1kgf/cm = _X98.0665_> kPa

Sample
1
2
3
4
5
Average

Burst strength,

Burst strength,

Grammage,

Burst index,

kgf/cm2
1.508
1.357
1.463
1.488
1.397
1.443

kPa
147.880
133.080
143.470
145.920
136.999
141.510

g/m2
60.085
59.795
61.930
62.850
63.115
61.555

kPa.m2/g
2.461
2.226
2.317
2.322
2.171
2.299

7.8.3. Brightness and opacity of handsheet from first and second recycling

8. Conclusion
Based on the experiment conducted, the effect of chemicals on subsequent paper
recycling shows reduction in papers properties in terms of strength but the brightness of
paper after recycled shows increment after treated with chemicals. The reduction in papers
strength is due to hornification effect causing the fibres unable to swell and flexible. Thus,
rapid recycling process under chemical treatment cause the paper properties to be lower since
there is lack of interfiber bonding between fibres. Meanwhile, paper brightness increases
because there is reduction in chromophoric structure and delignification effect by the
chemicals used.
However, the strength properties of handsheet produced from first recycling still shows
increment compared to non-recycled ones since chemical used like alkaline peroxide promote
better delignification compared to normal alkaline treatment. Even so, other condition also
showed increment in paper strength but the impact is not as obvious as alkaline peroxide
treatment.

9. Reference
1. http://www.ncsu.edu/bioresources/BioRes_02/BioRes_02_4_739_788_Hubbe_VR_R
ecycling_Cellulosic_Fibers_Review.pdf
2. http://upcommons.upc.edu/e-prints/bitstream/2117/6356/1/effects-of-drying.pdf
3. Gary A. Smook, second edition, Handbook for Pulp & Paper Technologists.
4. http://www.cellulosechemtechnol.ro/pdf/CCT1-3-2009/p.65-69.pdf
5. Wistara, N. and R. Young, Properties and treatments of pulps from recycled paper.
Part I. Physical and chemical properties of pulps. Cellulose, 1999. 6(4): p. 291-324