Studies on effect of growth factor on morphological, chemical and pulp and paper making characteristics and its impact on fluff generation

Abstract

The dearth of cellulosic fibers has compelled the paper technocrats to search for high yielding and fast growing trees. Leucaena leucocephala has solved the manifold purposes of both farmers as well as paper manufacturers. However, paper manufacturers face the serious problem of fluff in the drying section of paper machine with this furnish. L. leucocephala of the same species was cut after 2, 3 and 4 years and was analyzed for, morphological, chemical and pulp evaluation characteristics. The fibers of 2 and 3 years old of L. leucocephala are immature and consist of more non-fibrous elements i.e. vessels and parenchymatous cells. When such type of fibers are subjected to mechanical attrition for removal of primary wall, cause more fiber cuttings instead of fibrillation. The primary wall is permeable to water but does not participate in bond formation. These non-fibrous elements have larger surface area than fibers and their presence affects fiber bonding adversely. The loosely bonded fibers from the paper sheet adhere on press rolls or dryers during sheet making and contribute to fluff problem. L. leucocephala cut after 4 years of cultivation does not show fluff problem because of complete cellulose formation of fibers.