Evaluating the Potential to Modify Pulp and Paper Properties through Oxygen Delignification.

The potential to modify pulp and paper properties by oxygen delignification was assessed by looking beyond the ordinary purpose of oxygen delignification. Pulps with the same kappa number were obtained by both pulping and the combination of pulping and oxygen delignification, and the mechanical and chemical properties were compared. The oxidation of pulp components leads to an increase in carboxylic acid groups in the fibers, resulting in a large influence on fiber swelling, seen as an increase in the water retention value and fiber saturation point. The introduction of charged groups appears to replace some of the morphological changes caused by refining and enhance the strength of fiber-fiber joints, generating pulps with better refinability and higher tensile strength. Oxygen delignification was able to improve the tensile index with 6% at the same sheet density and less refining energy, when the amount of total fiber charges was higher than 140 μekv/g.