Effect of Beating on Coir Handsheet Properties
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Chemistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2 Department of Chemistry, Universitas Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia
Abstract
Coconut fibers or coir was examined to determine its potential value for pulp and
papermaking. Alkali pulping was investigated by using caustic soda on a laboratory scale and
then the pulp was beaten in a PFI mill at 0, 750, 1500, 3000 and 10000 revs. Projection
microscope and SEM detected the fiber parameters. While, the main mechanical properties of
hand sheet produced from soda processes were evaluated on 60 g/m2 test sheets as functions
of the following parameters: tensile index and tear index. The results showed at a PFI mill
revolution number of 1500 revs, the properties of hand sheet reached the optimum values.
papermaking. Alkali pulping was investigated by using caustic soda on a laboratory scale and
then the pulp was beaten in a PFI mill at 0, 750, 1500, 3000 and 10000 revs. Projection
microscope and SEM detected the fiber parameters. While, the main mechanical properties of
hand sheet produced from soda processes were evaluated on 60 g/m2 test sheets as functions
of the following parameters: tensile index and tear index. The results showed at a PFI mill
revolution number of 1500 revs, the properties of hand sheet reached the optimum values.
Keywords
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