Unbleached pulp and paper properties of soda-anthraquinone pulping of paraserianthes falcataria / Muslyza Che Hussin

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of Batai (Paraserianthes falcataria ) as a raw material for the pulp and paper industry. Three batai trees with a DBH of an average DBH of 26.7cm and an average tree height of 10.55 m were harvested from Donghwa Plantation in Merbok, Sg. Petani, Kedah. The study also investigate the effects of the tree portion (bottom and top), percentage NaOH (16%,18% and 20%) used, percentage of AQ (control & 0.1%) and beating revolutions (0, 5000, 10000, 15000, 20000 and 25000 rev) on the unbleached pulp and paper properties. Chemical composition, wood density and fiber morphology was also conducted. The paper testing was conducted in accordance to ISO and TAPPI standard methods. The addition of 0.1% AQ in soda pulping increase the pulp yield, pulp screened yield and lower pulp screened reject. The study also found that the mechanical properties of paper are higher at the bottom portion rather than top portion. 16% of NaOH results in highest folding endurance, tensile index, tear index and burst index as compared to 18% and 20%. The presence of AQ results in low physical properties of paper namely; thickness and paper grammage. The folding endurance, burst index, tensile index and tear index are higher with 0.1% of AQ. The presence of AQ improved the brightness and lower the opacity of paper. The increase in beating revolution on the unbleached pulp results in lower CSF of pulp and thickness of paper. The better mechanical properties of paper (number of fold, tensile index, burst index and tear index) is a results of higher beating revolutions. However, the higher beating revolutions results in low optical properties of paper (brightness and opacity). Results of wood density, chemical analysis, fiber morphology, pulp and paper properties shows the wood of Batai or Paraserianthes falcataria has the potential as an alternative raw material for the pulp and paper industry.