Fiber fines are generated during pulping (primary fines, mechanical fines) and refining (secondary fines) in the stock preparation process. Besides fibers and fiber-fiber bonds, these cellulosic microparticles are a further component of the paper network. Fines, which are defined as the fraction of pulp that is able to pass through a mesh screen or a perforated plate having a hole diameter of 76 μm [1], are known to influence the properties of the final paper product [2]. To better understand the effect and properties of this material, fines have to be separated from the pulp and investigated as an independent material.<br/>In the present study, fines are isolated from the pulp fraction by means of a laboratory pressure screen. To allow further processing, the solids content of the produced fines suspension has to be increased. Morphological properties of different types of fines and other cellulosic materials such as MFC and NFC are determined and compared to each other. Furthermore, handsheets are prepared from these materials and properties such as apparent density, contact angle, modulus of elasticity and strain are measured. In order to evaluate the influence of fines on the properties of paper, pulp handsheets having defined amounts of fines are formed and tested.<br/>The exploration of the properties of fiber fines contributes to a better understanding of how this material influences the final paper products and also helps in identifying other potential applications of this material.<br/>

Fiber fines: Properties and influence of cellulosic microparticles

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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