Preparation and Properties of Paper Yarn from Mulberry

Abstract

We examined the molecular orientation of paper and mechanical properties of prepared paper yarn by twisting strips of paper made from various ratios of mulberry bast and Manila hemp. The molecular orientation of paper in direction of the strip was highest for paper with a mulberry bast weight ratio of 30 wt% as measured by a microwave molecular orientation analyzer. In contrast, the paper yarn sample with a mulberry bast weight ratio of 100 wt% showed a low molecular orientation of paper in direction of the strip. For mechanical properties, paper yarn with mulberry bast weight ratio of 30 wt% had the highest strength and Young’s modulus and the lowest elongation. These results show that the mechanical properties of the paper yarn depend on the molecular orientation of the paper in direction of strip.