Efecto del Proceso de Pulpaje en las Propiedades del Papel Elaborado a Partir de Fibras No Maderables.

Abstract

Wood fibers are the main raw material in the paper industry however produce a significant environmental impact. Non-timber species offer fibers with a wide variety of properties, being one of the innovative alternatives that can be used in the development of new pulp derivatives. The aim of this project was to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of the paper obtained from toquilla straw treated by different conditions of the soda pulping process. Toquilla straw pseudo stem residues were used to obtain the pulp at different conditions (T = 160 ºC, 170ºC, 180ºC, t = 12 min, 32 min, 77.2 min and 4 % [ NaOH], 7% [NaOH]); paper sheets were formed according to TAPPI T 227 om-99 standard. In each paper sheet Infrared spectrophotometry and Raman analysis were carried out to assess the concentration of cellulose and lignin. Physical and mechanical properties of papers sheets included thickness and traction tests. Infrared spectrophotometry showed that the cellulose content does not present a significant variation between treatments, while Raman spectrophotometry showed lignin degradation as the severity of the pulping conditions increased. The highest value of absorbed traction energy (TEA) 77.21 [J/m2] and tension index (TI) 57.15 [N*m/g] was reached at 160 ºC, 12 min and 4% [NaOH] presenting the best conditions for the manufacture of Kraft paper, in addition to all the treatments complying with the tension index required by the standard for the manufacture of bond paper.