The influence of OCC pulp refining to improve the properties of test liner board

The possibility to improve the test liner board properties using mechanical treatments (refining) was studied. Old Corrugated Container (OCC) fibers used in a recycled paper manufacturing company were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed and hardwood and softwood fibers content were estimated as 22.6% and 60%, respectively. The mechanical treatment of pulp fiber was performed in a Valley Beater until the target freeness of 400 ml CSF. Then hand sheets with the basis weight of 127 g/m2 were made and the apparent density, Gurley air resistance, burst strength, folding endurance, Elmendorf tear strength, tensile strength and RCT were measured according to TAPPI standards. The results showed that all the properties of the refined sample increased compared to the control sample. Comparing the strength properties of the paper produced from refined pulp with the relevant values in Iranian national standards indicated the 33%, 50%, 117% increase in burst index, tensile index, and tear index, respectively. The refined pulp RCT strength increased by 28% compared to that of control sample. As the results indicated, test liner boards with suitable strength can be manufactured locally and even exported.