Pulp prepared from the same lot of rice straw by the SOX process, the KP process, the RMP process, the NSSC process and the lime pulping process were compared for yield, strength etc. and an attempt was made to prepare improved hand sheets by blending SOX pulp prepared from rice straw (Rs-SOXP) with unbleached kraft pulp prepared from soft wood (N·U·KP).
The yield of the pulp abtained by the SOX process was exceedingly high, reaching 74. 1%, and the pulp was found to have relatively high strength for the high yield. On the other hand, the pulp yield for the KP process was low (3043%) and was difficult to raise above 60% even by carrying out mechanical defibration using a disk refiner. The yields obtained with the lime pulping process, the NSSC process and the RMP process were 64.5%, 51.7% and 62.0%, respectively.
Rs-SOXP-223, which was obtained at a yield of 59.7%, was found to have a breaking length of 3.29 km, a JIS burst factor of 1.56 and a tear factor of 32.8.
The Rs-KP pulps obtained at yields of 3040% had high strength but those obtained at higher yields were low in strength.
Rs-KP-101, which was obtained at a yield of 37.2%, had a breaking length of 7.54 km, a JIS burst factor of 4.92 and a tear factor of 53.2.
Blended hand sheets prepared from Rs-SOXP and N·U·KP showed a pronounced improvement in strength. For example, a blended hand sheet prepared with Rs-SOXP and N·U·KP blended at a ratio of 20 : 80 exceeded the JIS strength standards for a semichemical corrugating medium prepared from NSSCP and one prepared at a ratio of 40 : 60 exceeded the JIS strength standards for a kraft liner.
The paper and hardboard obtained from rice straw pulp in this way are likely to find a wide range of applications in the packaging field, particularly in connection with foodstuffs.
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