Strength Loss in Recycled Fibers and Methods of Restoration

Abstract

AbstractThe reduced interfiber bonding capability and reduced conformability of recycled fibers compared to virgin wood pulp fibers is caused by the drying phase of the first papermaking cycle. Changes in the fiber result in stiffness. This effect is more pronounced in chemical pulps than in high lignin content mechanical pulps. This chapter describes methods for restoring some or all the interfiber bonding. In an attempt to develop a “dry” newspaper recycling process, the water-intensive repulping and paper-forming steps were replaced with dry-fiberizing, air-forming, gas-phase ozone and ammonia treatments, and pressdrying. The tensile strength of the dry-recycled paper approached that of the original newsprint.