Evaluation of Paper Pulp and Paper Making Characteristics Produced from Different African Woody Trees Grown in Egypt

Abstract

Background: There is a global need to search for new types of fibers’s wood to assess its suitability for the paper production as a result of the population increase in the world. Objective: Therefore, this trial was conducted to evaluate paper pulp produced and determination of the papermaking characteristics from woods of Populus alba, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia nilotica as hardwoods and Cupressus sempervirens as a softwood. Materials and Methods: for producing fibrous raw materials which can be converted into paper. Pulp production of different wood samples, pulp yield, bleaching process and beating process were measured. In addition, physical methods (fiber length and crystallinity index) and properties (tensile index, breaking length, bursting index, tear index and brightness) of the paper sheet were determined. The data were then analyzed using using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5%. Results: The results indicated that Acacia nilotica wood produced the significant superior value in net pulp yield. Also, pulp produced from Eucalyptus camaldulensis pronounced more changes in lignin which greatly decreased, in addition, alfa cellulose raised up to the maximum value during pulping processing followed by Populus alba. Chrystallinity index tended to the maximum value in Populus alba. In addition, bleached pulp of Populus alba was significantly in alfa cellulose and the maximum value in pentosan. Regarding fiber length, the results demonstrated that Cupressus sempervirens recorded the longest fiber length. Also, the study declared that Populus alba recorded the highest increases values in breaking length. In this respect papers produced from wood of Populus alba had the highest quality in burst index conversely. As regards tear index of papers, it is clear that paper induced from soft wood species Cupressus sempervirens was better and over grade than all the other species. Conclusion: In this regard brightness of papers manufactured from both Populus alba and Eucalyptus camaldulensis were much better in quality. Therefore, it is possible to use Populus alba for producing papers high quality instead of importation from the abroad. Key