RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 15 No. 2, December 2003, p. 28-34

STRUCTURAL MECHANICAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF RECYCLED PAPER BLENDED WITH OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH PULP

RUSHDAN Ibrahim*

ABSTRACT

The effects of blending oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) pulp with recycled papers on the paper properties were studied. The EFB was pulped by the soda-anthraquinone process. Laboratory papers were made by blending the unbleached EFB pulp with old carton board (OCB), copier paper (OCP) and newspaper (ONP) at rations of 25%, 50% and 75%. The structural, mechnical and optical properties of these papers were measured and compared to unblended recycled papers. The papers properties were considered affected by incorporation of the EFB pulp. The changes on the properties varied, depending on the particular, property, level of pulp incorporation and the type of recycled paper used. ONP has the highest degree of change and OCB has the lowest degree of change. OCB, OCP and ONP have the highest tensile index when incorporated 25%, 75% and 75% of EFB pulp respectively. OCB, OCP and ONP have the highest burst index when incorporated 75% of EFB pulp. OCB, OCP and ONP have the highest tear index when incorporated 25%, 75% and 25% of EFB pulp respectively. OCB, OCP and ONP have the highest folding endurance when incorporated 75% of EFB respectively. The best blend for OCB is 23% of EFB pulp and for OCP and ONP is 75% of EFB pulp. The EFB soda-AQ pulp can be used to enhance the structural and mechanical properties of recycled paper

KEYWORDS:


* Bio Resource, Paper and Coatings Technology, School of
Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau
Pinang, Malaysia.
E-mail: rushd@usm.my