TAPPI JOURNAL September 2003
Potential of mimosa (albizia julibrissin ) for papermaking, Solutions! & TAPPI JOURNAL, September 2003, Vol. 2(9) (150KB)
ABSTRACT: Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) is a fast-growing perennial plant that can be grown on plantations at high yields. For mimosa to be a viable substitute for hardwood fibers in fine paper manufacturing, papermakers need to know how mimosa responds to different pulping conditions and to different bleaching sequences. Experiments are being carried out at Auburn University’s Pulp and Paper Research and Education Center to determine the anatomic characteristics of fibers, the various aspects of cooking and the pulp qualities of mimosa, and the strength properties of paper made from mimosa pulp. In terms of strength, pulp made from the mimosa is comparable to pulp obtained from typical southern hardwood (sweet gum). Pulp processing experiments indicate the potential for cost savings associated with the ease of pulping, bleaching, and refining of the mimosa fibers.
Application: Mimosa could become a viable substitute for hardwood in the manufacture of writing and printing papers.
Application: Mimosa could become a viable substitute for hardwood in the manufacture of writing and printing papers.
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Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) is a viable material substitute for hardwood fibers in the manufacture of fine paper. It is a fast-growing perennial plant that can be successfully grown in plantation conditions at high yields. For mimosa to be used as a source of fiber for papermaking, we need to know how mimosa responds to different pulping conditions and bleaching sequences. We also need to know how the age of the wood at harvest affects the yield and the fiber properties. At Auburn University’s Pulp and Paper Research and Education Center, researchers are carrying out experiments to determine the anatomic characteristics of fibers, the various |
aspects of cooking and the pulp qualities of mimosa, and the strength properties of paper made from mimosa pulp. The strength properties of pulp made from the mimosa have been shown to be comparable to the pulp obtained from sweet gum, a typical southern hardwood. Experiments have also indicated that there is some potential for cost savings associated with the ease of pulping, bleaching, and refining of the mimosa fibers.
S! Duke, Reed, Gu, and Krishnagopalan are in the Chemical Engineering Dept., 230 Ross Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5127. Morrison and Bransby are in Agronomy and Soils, 202 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849. Email Duke at srduke@eng.auburn.edu. |
Product code: 03SEP09
Author: Duke, S.R., Reed, P.J., Gu, H., Krishnagopalan, G., Morrison, T.A., Bransby, D.I.
Edition: TAPPI JOURNAL, September 2003, Vol. 2(9)
Member Price: $0
Non-member Price: $30
