Journal of Korea TAPPI ISSN:0253-3200(Print) 펄프종이기술

In this study, effects of kneading concentration on characteristics of hardwood bleached kraft pulp (HwBKP) fibers were elucidated. A laboratory two-shaft kneader was utilized for kneading. Kneading concentration was varied in the range of 15-30% (w/w) and the number of kneading treatment was adjusted between 0 and 6 passes. It was found that kneading concentration influenced fiber characteristics. At 15% of pulp concentration, fiber length slightly increased with increasing the number of kneading passes, while other morphological properties such as fiber width and curl decreased: fiber straightening occurred. In addition, the increase in WRV and the decrease in CSF were the largest at 15% kneading concentration, meanings that fibrillation mainly occurred. In contrast, at higher kneading concentration exceeding 20%, fiber deformation like curl was mainly occurred. Also, at kneading concentration of 20% and 30%, fiber length decreased with the number of kneading passes while other morphological properties such as fiber width, and WRV increased. Severe fiber entanglement was found at 30% kneading, which shall be removed during papermaking.