The hemicellulose composition of pulp fibers and their ability to endure mechanical treatment

Abstract

Two pulps of different hemicellulose content were subjected to high-intensity shear forces in a laboratory mixer to damage the fibers. The ability of the fibers to resist the mechanical treatment was evaluated by comparing their strength to that of undamaged pulps. The study showed that pulp produced at high hydroxide ion concentration, which resulted in lower xylan and higher glucomannan content, was sensitive to mechanical treatment. The pulp strength decreased, evaluated as tear versus tensile index and as rewetted zero-span tensile index. Pulp with a higher xylan and lower glucomannan content could be subjected to mechanical treatment without losing strength.