Abstract
Mechanical and optical properties of handsheets prepared from mixture of bleached kraft pulp and either microcrystalline cellulose powder (MCP), freeze-dried amorphous cellulose (FAC), or hydrated amorphous cellulose gel (HAC) were studied in terms of crystallinity of the additives and interaction between pulp fibers and the cellulose additives. X-ray diffraction patterns and moisture content of the handsheets showed that both FAC and HAC behaved as amorphous cellulose in handsheets. However, mechanical and optical properties such as Young's modulus, tensile index, tearing resistance, opacity, and scattering coefficients of handsheets showed that MCP and FAC behaved like fillers, and that HAC behaved like strength resins for improving interfiber bonding of pulp fibers. The handsheets had the maximum tensile strength and Young's modulus around 12% HAC content. Effects of the addition of HAC to pulp suspension on physical properties of handsheets seemed to be similar to those of beating of chemical pulp on physical properties of paper. These results and scanning electron micrographs of handsheets indicated that hydrated amorphous cellulose gel can form strong interfiber-bonding with pulp fibers, whereas little interaction is present between pulp fibers and MCP or FAC.
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