Hexamethyldisilazane Treatment To Restore Strength of Recycled Fiber

Authors

  • Irving B. Sachs

Keywords:

Hexamethyldisilazane treatment, recycled fibers, fibrils, microfibrils, scanning electron microscopy, strength properties, bonding

Abstract

When pulp fibers dry, many fibrils and microfibrils dry down onto the surface of the fiber and are unavailable for fiber bonding. Therefore, the paper or paper products produced are not as strong as similar products made from pulp that has never been dried. Recent studies have suggested that hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) treatment of pulp fibers will raise dried-down fibrils and microfibrils. The objective of this work was to determine if HMDS treatment can be used to increase sheet strength of fiber from recycled corrugated fiberboard components by raising fibrils and microfibrils from fiber surfaces. Overall, HMDS treatment improved burst, tear, and tensile indices of handsheets from recycled fibers from linerboard and corrugated medium. Scanning electron micrographs show the presence of many more raised fibrils and microfibrils on HMDS-treated fiber. These raised fibrils and microfibrills appear to be the cause for increased sheet strength.

References

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Published

2007-06-22

Issue

Number 3 / July 1988

Section

Research Contributions

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