Abstract
ABSTRACTIn this study, we have extracted and bleached fibers from three plants (Typha latifolia, Agave americana, and Pennisetum alopecuroides). The obtained pulp contains more than 50% of fines and fibers with lengths not exceeding 1 mm. Generally, the amount of fines depends on fiber source, fiber morphology, pulping conditions, and the extent of mechanical treatment. Handsheets were produced with plant fibers alone or mixed (in different percentages: 7.5%, 15%, 22.5%, and 30%) with a commercial kraft pulp. The mechanical and optical properties of the sheets (breaking length, tear index, young modulus, whiteness, and opacity) show that plants could be used as a substitute fiber supply for the paper industry. However, fines were hardly retained in the sheets. A model to explain the removal of fines is proposed.
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