NSSC pulping of Grain Sorghum Stalk to Produce Fluting Paper

In this study, neutral sulfite semi-chemical pulping (NSSC) of the grain sorghum stalk (Sorghum bicolor) was investigated to produce fluting paper. The results showed that the highest screen yield (45.74%) was obtained using 30 min and 12% and the lowest screen yield (37.51%) attained at 90 min and 14%. Two cooking conditions were selected as optimum including 12%, 10% chemical charge and 30, 60 min cooking time according to the screen yield. The selected pulp freeness decreased to 400 ml. CSF by PFI-mill beater and then hand sheet made with grammage of 127 g/m2. Comparison of selected pulps strength including tear, tensile, and burst indices, RCT, CMT, and CCT carried out by normalization method. The result revealed that optimum NSSC pulping for grain sorghum stalk could be achieved by 10%, 60 min., and 170°C.