COMPARISON OF EUCALYPT, PINE, AND SUGARCANE CELLULOSE FIBERS USED FOR PAPER PRODUCTION

ABSTRACT Sugarcane bagasse, a waste material generated by the sugar-alcohol industry, is rich in lignocellulosic components such as cellulose and hemicellulose. The bagasse can be employed as a raw material in the pulp and paper industry, but is currently rarely used for this purpose, due to the availability of traditional sources such as Eucalyptus and Pinus. The objective of this work was to compare the physical and mechanical properties of papers produced using the cellulose extracted from sugarcane, Eucalyptus, and Pinus by the Kraft method. Four paper samples were produced using cellulose obtained from the following fiber sources: (I) 100% sugarcane bagasse; (II) 100% Eucalyptus; (III) 75% Eucalyptus + 25% Pinus; (IV) 75% sugarcane bagasse + 25% Pinus. Physical and mechanical tests were performed based on regulatory methodologies of the paper industry. The results indicated that the physical and mechanical characteristics of the paper produced from the sugarcane cellulose were similar to those of the traditional paper produced using Eucalyptus. Particular features such as good tearing resistance and tensile strength, as well as increased porosity and moisture, could be adjusted according to the intended use of the paper. Therefore, sugarcane bagasse can be considered a sustainable alternative to Eucalyptus and Pinus for the production of high quality paper, adding value to this agricultural residue.

【摘要】 甘蔗渣是糖醇工业产生的废弃物，富含纤维素、半纤维素等木质纤维素组分。该蔗渣可作为制浆造纸工业的原料，但由于桉树、松树等传统纤维原料供应充足，目前其在该领域的应用极少。本研究旨在对比采用硫酸盐法（Kraft法）从甘蔗渣、桉树及松树中提取的纤维素制备的纸张的物理与力学性能。实验共制备4组纸样，纤维来源分别为：（I）100%甘蔗渣；（II）100%桉树；（III）75%桉树+25%松树；（IV）75%甘蔗渣+25%松树。依据造纸行业的标准测试方法开展物理与力学性能测试。结果表明，以甘蔗渣纤维素制备的纸张，其物理与力学特性与传统桉树浆纸张相近；其优异的抗撕裂强度、抗拉强度，以及较高的孔隙率与含水率等特性，可根据纸张的使用需求进行调控。综上，甘蔗渣可作为桉树与松树的可持续替代原料用于高品质纸张生产，为该农业废弃物实现附加值提升。