Optical and physical properties of mixed hardwood CMP pulp and the birch wood

In this research, effects of mixing the birch wood with hornbeam and beach on optical and physical properties of papers produced at constant freeness range of 300 ml, CSF and yield of 85% and reference of CMP pulp (75% hornbeam plus to 25% beach) was investigated. CMP pulp was produced from birch chips at 10,20,30 and 40% content within the conditions of pulp yield:85%, liquor to dried chip ratio (L/W) of 7/1, sulfite percent of 20% on oven-dried wood chips, cooking temperature:160C, cooking time:85-135 minutes blended with 60-90 % hornbeam and beach. After defibration and refining the cooked wood chips, the standard hand sheets of 60 g/m2 were made from different pulps and the optical and physical properties of paper produced were compared. The results from comparing the optical properties of paper showed that using up to 40% birch chips blended with hornbeam and beach led to brightness improvement and yellowness and opacity reduction compared to control CMP pulp. Increase of birch use to 30% indicated no significant effect on opacity values at confidence level of 99% compared to control CMP pulp. Utilizing 40% birch resulted in the preparation of papers with lower caliper, smoother surface and higher air resistance.