The influence of pH on fiber and paper properties : Different pH levels during beating and sheet forming

Sammanfattning: The effect of pH on fiber and paper properties, during beating and sheet formation, was investigated for three different pulps. The pulps were pH adjusted to four different pH levels between 3 and 9. Isotropic laboratory sheet were made of both unbeaten and beaten pulps. The beaten neutral sulfite semi-chemical pulp and bleached softwood kraft pulp were affected by changes in pH; bleached softwood kraft pulp in a minor extent due to less fiber surface charges. Compared to the other pH levels, pH 3 showed a lower fiber surface charge, water retention value, tensile index, tensile stiffness index, compressive index and edge crush resistance index. SEM pictures showed a denser network at pH 9 than for pH 3. This was seen for both neutral sulphite semi-chemical and softwood kraft pulp. The unbeaten pulps and beaten bleached hardwood kraft pulp were not affected by changes in pH. SEM pictures showed no difference in the fiber network for bleached hardwood kraft pulp. A mill trial, with neutral sulphite semi-chemical pulp, at pH levels between pH 4.8 and pH 5.6 was completed. No significant difference was seen for any mechanical property.