Mechanical properties of natural fiber composites produced using dynamic sheet former

ABSTRACT

Composites formed from wood fibers and man-made cellulosic fibers in PLA (polylactic acid) matrix, manufactured using sheet forming technique and hot pressing, are studied. The composites have very low density (due to high porosity) and rather good elastic modulus and tensile strength. As expected, these properties for the four types of wood fiber composites studied here improve with increasing weight fraction of fibers, even if porosity is also increasing. On the contrary, for man-made cellulosic fiber composites with circular fiber cross-section, the increasing fiber weight fraction (accompanied by increasing void content) has detrimental effect on stiffness and strength. The differences in behavior are discussed attributing them to fiber/ fiber interaction in wood fiber composites which does not happen in man-made fiber composites, and by rather weak fiber/matrix interface for man-made fibers leading to macro-crack formation in large porosity regions.     

Effect of impact velocity on the fracture of wood as related to the mechanical pulping process

 The fiber separation step in refining is crucial for energy consumption in subsequent refining where the pulp properties are developed. The size reduction of chips during refining is dependent on refining intensity and chip strength. Factors affecting these two parameters are discussed in a literature review. The impact strength of chips and the break down of chips to separate fibers are also discussed. Specifically the effect of impact velocity on the fracture of wood has been studied by use of a falling weight impact tester. Samples were prepared from a freshly cut log of Norway spruce, Picea abies, and the impact strength was measured using an instrumented falling weight impact tester. An increase in impact velocity from about 2.7 to 4.8 m/s resulted in an increase in impact strength of about 50%. Received 23 August 1999     

Cross sectional dimensions of wood pulp fibers from softwood fiber counts

Summary There are, on the average, about 300 fibers or tracheids per centimeter in both the tangential and radial directions in cross sections of softwoods when the counts are made over complete annual rings with the extremes varying from about 200 fibers per centimeter for redwood to about 400 fibers per centimeter for Alaska yellow cedar. Fiber widths, including half of surrounding middle lamella, range from about 50 m for redwood to 25m for Alaska yellow cedar, averaging about 33 m. Average lumen widths vary but slightly with changes in the specific gravity of the wood whereas the double cell wall thickness varies directly with the specific gravity. Effects of pulping to different pulp yields on the fiber dimensions are calculated with the use of two newly developed equations. The theoretical thickness of completely collapsed pulp fibers is equal to their double cell wall thickness. Complete collapse rarely if ever occurs as it requires double fractures of the cell wall. In practice, collapse of fibers is incomplete so their thickness is usually two or more times the theoretical minimum.Emeritus Robertson Professor of Wood and Paper Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., U.S.A.     

桉树木材超微结构及其对干燥皱缩的影响

以多枝桉等４种桉树木材为材料，采用扫描电镜观察并分析了其导管、纤维和管胞等胞壁上的纹孔和瘤层等超微结构．结果表明，富含侵填体的桉材因其堵塞了导管间的轴向通道，并部分覆盖了管间纹孔及导管—射线间纹孔，严重影响其渗透性，是其干燥皱缩的主要原因．通过热处理后，能使多枝桉和细叶桉木材皱缩发生改善．但对赤桉和红桉无效．     

Characterization and acetylation behavior of bamboo pulp

In the present study, the chemical–physical properties of bamboo pulp prepared with a sequential totally chlorine-free procedure were analyzed and compared with that of commercial wood pulp by SEM, FTIR, TGA, and X-ray. α-Cellulose content was determined to be 95%, a little less than that of commercial wood pulp. But the crystallinity of bamboo pulp is lower than wood pulp. Acetylation activity of bamboo pulp was determined to be higher than that of wood pulp, which was carried out in heterogeneous media with sulfuric acid as catalyst. The cellulose acetate prepared with bamboo pulp can be quickly dissolved in acetone without distinct difference with that of cellulose acetate prepared with wood pulp. The results indicate the potential utility of bamboo as an alternative to wood pulp for cellulose derivate fiber material.     

Characterization of urea–formaldehyde resin penetration into medium density fiberboard fibers

The amount of UF resin penetration into fibers, used for the production of medium density fiberboard (MDF), is unknown. To evaluate the relationship between resin viscosity and resin penetration depth, an experimental procedure involving confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and a Toluidine Blue O staining system was performed. The results indicate that CLSM in combination with a Toluidine Blue O staining system is a good way to characterize UF resin penetration into wood fibers. The main penetration direction is toward the fiber lumen. For wet fibers, whose moisture content is about 88%, the effect of resin viscosity with a range of 80 cps – 340 cps on penetration is very similar, with all adhesives reaching or almost reaching the fiber lumen after 60 min at room temperature. For MDF industrial samples, the highest depth of penetration of the adhesive was attained in the second dryer stage. After the second dryer stage, the resin penetration into the fiber did not increase.     

The ambient aging of wood fiber and its effect on mechanical properties of MDF panels

Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study ambient-aged wood fibers and their effects on the mechanical properties of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). It was found that MDF made with ambient-aged fibers had poorer mechanical properties than MDF made with fresh fibers; this difference resulted from the alterations of surface characteristics of wood fibers after ambient aging, which led to poor wettability of the urea–formaldehyde (UF) resin applied to the aged wood fibers. After 6 months of ambient aging, the concentration of carbonyl groups in the fibers increased by 144%, while the pH value of wood fiber decreased from 5.2 to 4.7. SEM showed that much more UF resin agglomerated on the surface of ambient-aged fibers and the breakage of MDF made with aged fiber frequently occurred at the resin-fiber interfaces, indicated the poorer wettability of UF resin to fibers due to the decrease in surface energy after aging.     

越南甜竹纤维形态特征的研究

对甜竹原料、甜竹浆的纤维形态进行了研究。结果表明:甜竹原料纤维平均长度为2.37 mm、平均宽度17.91μm、长宽比值132.40;纤维平均壁厚为8.13μm、平均腔径为2.57μm、壁腔比值6.33。研究了在蒸煮过程中纤维形态的变化。结果表明,在蒸煮过程中甜竹纤维长度不断变小,从2.37 mm(原料)到1.79 mm(全浆),减少24%;蒸煮过程中纤维长宽比值也不断缩小,从132.40(原料)到98.89(全浆)。与青皮竹浆、桉木浆(阔叶木)、马尾松浆(针叶木)和麦草浆(草类)的纤维形态相比,甜竹浆纤维长度大于麦草浆纤维,小于马尾松浆纤维,与青皮竹浆和桉木浆纤维长度基本相近,因此甜竹浆纤维属于长纤维范围,是一种优良的造纸原料。     

A morphological study on the behavior of bamboo pulp fibers in the beating process

Summary Bamboo pulp fibers respond to beating more rapidly than do wood fibers. This is probably due to the difference in secondary wall structure between the fibers. In the present paper, the behavior on beating of pulp fibers from Bambusa polymorpha Munro was investigated from a morphological point of view. The secondary wall of bamboo fibers consists of alternately arranged broad and narrow layers. During the beating process, a number of transverse and concentric cracks are generated in the broad layers, which causes an internal fibrillation. The outer broad layers with their numerous cracks separate from the inner layers and swell highly toward the outside. The outer secondary wall layer of bamboo fibers has a microfibril angle of about 20° with respect to the fiber axis which is much smaller than that of the S1 layer of wood fibers. As a result this layer appears to offer little resistance to prevent the external swelling of the broad layers.Part of this work was financially supported by a Grand-in Aid for Scientific Research, Ministry of Education, Japan, 57470095Currently with the Japan Pulp and Paper Research Institute, Inc., Tsukaba, Japan     

尾叶桉材性指标在株内、株间和无性系间的变异性研究

以8年生尾叶桉(Eucalyptus urophylla S.T.Blake)无性系林为试材,就材性指标在株内、株间和无性系之间变异进行了研究分析。结果表明:纤维长度、纤维宽度、纤维长宽比、管孔弦向直径、纤维双壁厚度和纤维壁腔比在树干水平方向上的不同部位具有极显著性差异,呈由内向外逐渐增大的规律;微纤丝角度、单位面积管孔数和纤维腔径比在树于水平方向上的不同部位亦具有极显著性差异,但呈由内向外逐渐减小的规律;而木材胞壁率、木纤维比量、导管比量、射线比量、轴向薄壁组织比量和木纤维胞腔直径在树干水平方向上没有显著性变异;主要材性指标在同一无性系内的植株之间无显著性差异,但在无性系之间的差异均达到显著或极显著性水平。     

Effect of the amount of lignin on tensile properties of single wood fibers

Chemical components are the main factors affecting the mechanical properties of wood fibers. Lignin is one of the main components of wood cell walls and has a critical effect on the mechanical properties of paper pulp and wood fiber based composites. In this study, we carried out tensile tests on single mature latewood tracheids of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanciolata (Lamb.) Hook.), using three different delignified treatment methods to obtain different amounts of lignin. We applied single fiber tests to study the effect of the amount of lignin on mechanical tensile properties of single wood fibers at the cellular level. The results show that in their dry state, the modulus of elasticity of single fibers decreased with the reduction in the amount of lignin; even their absolute values were not high. The amount of lignin affects the tensile strength and elongation of single fibers considerably. Tensile strength and elongation of single fibers increase with a reduction in the amount of lignin.     

Fiber charge characteristics of pulp suspension containing aluminum sulfate

Fiber charge characteristics of pulp suspensions containing aluminum sulfate were investigated with relation to adsorption behavior of aluminum components on the pulp fibers by streaming potential measurement using a particle charge detector, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence analysis. When aluminum sulfate was added to a pulp suspension prepared using deionized water, a streaming potential of the suspension went from negative to slightly negative according to the adsorption of aluminum components on the pulp fibers. Subsequent addition of a dilute NaOH solution to the suspension drastically cationized the fibers in the pH range of around 5 by predominant and homogeneous adsorption of cationic aluminum complexes on the fiber surfaces. However, the aluminum flocs that formed heterogeneously on the fiber surfaces at higher pH by further alkali addition made nearly no contribution to cationization of the fibers, although the abundant aluminum components were retained in the pulp sheets. Therefore, only aluminum cations adsorbed uniformly on the fiber surfaces perform well to control the charge properties of the pulp fibers at the wet end; and the preferential aluminum adsorption behavior on the fiber surfaces, by utilizing the required amounts of hydroxyl ions, probably accounts for the effective cationization of the fibers under acidic to neutral papermaking conditions.This research was presented in part at the presymposium of the International Symposium on Wood and Pulping Chemistry, Seoul, June 1999; at the International Symposium on Environmentally Friendly and Emerging Technologies for a Sustainable Pulp and Paper Industry, Taipei, April 2000; and at the 2000 annual meeting of the Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan, Kyoto, June 2000     

Radial variations in the anatomical characteristics and density of the wood of Acacia mangium of five different provenances in Indonesia

The anatomical characteristics and density of wood were examined in 23-year-old Acacia mangium trees that had been planted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The seeds had been collected from trees of five different provenances. The distance from the pith of the boundary between juvenile and mature wood was also examined to clarify the maturity of the wood. Lengths of wood fibers near the pith and the distance from the pith of the boundary between juvenile and mature wood differed significantly among provenances. By contrast, other anatomical characteristics of the wood such as fiber wall area, fiber wall thickness, fiber diameter, vessel lumen area, vessel diameter, vessel frequency and wood density did not differ significantly among provenances. Wood density was strongly correlated with the area of fiber walls. Our observations suggest that Sidei and Daintree might be more appropriate provenances among those examined for the Acacia mangium tree-breeding programs in Indonesia that are aimed at improving wood quality, because these provenances are associated with longer initial wood fibers and narrower juvenile areas than the other provenances studied.     

Methods for the determination of wood properties,Kraft pulp yield and wood fibre dimensions on small wood samples.

A trial set-up with methods for sampling, treatment and analysis of small wood chips are presented in this paper, to determine important wood and fibre properties, like basic density, dry density, volume swelling of wood, Kraft pulp yield, fibre length, fibre coarseness, fibre width, lumen width and fibre wall thickness. The required time for one sample is about 1.5 man-hour, but this requires relatively larger series and trained personnel. Acceptable measurement accuracy is achieved when the volume of the wood sample is at least 1.5 ml, except that of wood volume swelling. To gain acceptable measurement accuracy for volume swelling, the wood volume should be increased to at least 3 ml, and preferably more than 5–6 ml per sample. The level of pulp yield and wood density do not show a significant effect on the measurement accuracy for fibre cross-section dimensions. Fibre coarseness, on the other hand, has a significant influence on these accuracies. A double measurement of fibre coarseness will improve the accuracy to an acceptable level. The method presented here may, together with information about trees and growth locations, form the basis for greater insight into the mechanisms involved in development of wood and fibre properties in trees, which in turn may provide better control and utilisation of wood for pulp and paper production.Abbreviations CWD cell wall density in dry wood=1500 kg/m³ - Ww dry weight of wood (kg) - Vmax green (wet) volume of wood (m³) - Vmin dry volume of wood (m³) - BD basic wood density (kg/m³) - DD dry wood density (kg/m³) - VS maximum volume swelling of wood (%) - Wp dry weight of pulp (kg) - PY pulp yield (%) - C fibre coarseness, the average weight of a unit length of fibre (g/m) - CL average chip length (mm) - CWT average cell wall thickness (m) - FW average fibre width (m) - l average native fibre length in solid wood - L chip length - lc average fibre length in wood chip (mm) - Lc length-weighted fibre length in wood chip (mm) - lw native average fibre length in wood (mm) - Lw native length-weighted fibre length in wood (mm) - LW average lumen width (m) - llw average native fibre length, length weighted, in wood - X average fibre length in chip - Xlw average fibre length, length weighted, in chip     

利用木质剩余物与废纸制备纸浆模塑材料的比较

对三种缓冲材料及利用木质剩余物一次纤维和废纸再生纤维制备纸浆模塑材料工艺过程进行对比。并利用扫描电镜观察热压干燥和真空干燥成型时,木质剩余物一次纤维与废纸再生纤维纤维形态结构的变化。结果表明：木质剩余物一次纤维纤维长度、宽度较废纸再生纤维得均匀,废纸再生纤维纤维表面有所损伤,纤维间的空隙增加,会导致与纤维间结合力有关的抗张强度、耐破强度和耐折强度等物理性能地下降。在生产实践中,要根据包装物的具体情况,选择合适的纸浆模塑原材料。     

Ultrasonic treatment to improve the quality of recycled pulp fiber

The effect of ultrasound on the quality of recycled fibers was investigated. Ultrasound was applied to recycled pulp fiber suspension before ink removal by conventional flotation. The ultrasonic treatment induced an increase in the sedimentation volume of the fiber, which implies that the flexibility and bulkiness of the fiber increase. The water retention value of the ultrasonically treated fiber recovered from the loss caused by the recycling. These facts are due to a beating effect of the treatment. The paper sheets prepared from the ultrasonically treated fiber suspension showed higher sheet density, tensile strength, and brightness than that from an untreated fiber suspension. The process, which consists of ultrasonic treatment for 1 min following flotation deinking, requires about 1.4 times as much energy as the conventional flotation deinking process, but it induced 20% improvement in brightness. The results indicate that the ultrasonic treatment is effective in improving recycled fiber quality.This report was presented in part at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 1998; and at the 5th Annual Meeting of the Japan Cellulose Society, Kyoto, July 1998     

Nanoindentation of juvenile and mature loblolly pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus taeda</Emphasis> L.) wood fibers as affected by thermomechanical refining pressure

The effects of thermomechanical refining pressures, varying from 2 to 18 bars, on the cell-wall properties of refined wood fibers of a 54-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) with reference to both juvenile (JW) and mature wood (MW) were investigated using nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy. The results of this study indicate that refining pressure plays a significant role in the physical damage sustained by refined wood fibers. No obvious damage was observed in the cell walls of MW fibers refined at 2 and 4 bar. Nanocracks (<500 nm in width) were found in fibers refined at pressures in the range of 2–12 bar for JW and 6–12 bar for MW, and micro cracks (>3,000 nm in width) were found in both MW and JW fibers subjected to a refining pressure of 14 and 18 bar. The micro damage to the fibers refined at higher pressures was more severe inside the lumen than on the surface of the fibers, and the lumen or S₃ layer was significantly damaged. The elastic modulus, hardness, and creep resistance of MW fibers were higher than those of the JW fibers subjected to the same refining-pressure conditions. The elastic modulus and hardness decreased, whereas nanoindentation creep increased, with increasing refining pressure. This study also suggests that lower refining pressures (<4 bar) and higher pressures (>14 bar for MW and >12 bar for JW) should be avoided in the manufacture of fiberboards and wood fiber–polymer composites, because of the lower aspect ratio of the fiber bundles, shorter length of the fibers and fines, and severe damages to the fiber cell walls.     

Effects of tension wood on kraft paper from a short-rotation hardwood (Populus “Tristis No. 1”)

The physical properties and morphology of kraft paper handsheets obtained from tension wood of intensively managed, 5-year-old trees of Populus Tristis No. 1 were compared to those produced from isolated normal wood of the same stems. Pulp yields of tension wood (TW) and normal wood (NW) were 60 and 53% respectively. Over a beating range of 0–45 minutes, strength properties of TW paper were in all cases noticeably inferior to those obtained from NW. During paper formation, the TW or gelatinous fibers resisted collapse, even upon extended refining, and produced thick, porous sheets of poorly bonded elements. It was concluded that the differential behavior of NW and TW pulps was in several respects analogous to those displayed by earlywood and latewood pulps, respectively, of softwood species as well as thin-vs. thick-walled hardwood fibers. Consequently, it appears that the inferior strength of TW paper is primarily a function of fiber morphology, and the difference in hemicellulose content between NW and TW (viz., lower pentosan content of TW) often cited in the literature as a potential major factor here probably contributes little if any significant effect on ultimate interfiber bonding and paper quality.The experimental phase of this investigation was carried out by K. W. Robinson in partial fulfillment of the requirements of The Institute of Paper Chemistry for the M.S. degree from Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin.     

不同种源马尾松纸浆材制浆性能的差异分析

以不同种源马尾松纸浆材为研究对象,分析比较其化学组分、纤维形态与纸浆性能。结果表明:福建武平、广西岑溪、广东信宜3个外地种源马尾松木材的α-纤维素含量、纤维长度、长宽比以及纸浆的裂断长、耐破指数均大于闽北当地种源,苯醇抽出物含量低于闽北当地种源;不同种源马尾松木材的纸浆得率十分相近,而广东信宜种源马尾松木材密度高于其他3个种源,其单位体积木材可制得更多的纸浆;马尾松3个外地种源比闽北当地种源更适合用于造纸用材。     

Reversible volumetric changes of acetylated wood with after-treatments

Dimensional changes of acetylated wood were measured during wet–dry cycling and heating to clarify the reversible and irreversible effects of those after-treatments. During wet–dry cycling, the acetylated wood showed slight swelling in its completely dry condition, while its weight decreased slightly. Similar swelling was recognized when the acetylated wood was heated dry above 140°C. On the other hand, the anomalous effects of wet–dry cycling and heating disappeared after soaking in acetone. It was considered that the rearrangement of hydrophobic wood polymers during wet–dry cycling and heating induced the expansion of voids, whereas the wood polymers recovered their initial conformation after soaking in organic liquids. The wet volume of acetylated wood also exhibited reversible changes during wet–dry cycling. Just after the acetylation, the wood was highly swollen in acetic anhydride. The swollen volume of acetylated wood was reduced by leaching in water, and additional decrease in the wet volume resulted from the following drying or boiling. However, the reduced wet volume was recovered almost completely after acetone-soaking. These results suggested that the water molecules remaining in the hydrophobic region expanded the wet volume of acetylated wood, while such weakly bound water was easily removable by drying or boiling.