First, the basic composition of paper
Paper is mainly made up of plant fibers interwoven to form a thin layer of material. There are many sources of plant fibers, which are mainly divided into two categories: wood fibers and non-wood fibers.
Wood fiber raw materials
It mainly comes from trees, including coniferous and hardwood. Conifer wood such as spruce, fir, etc., while hardwood wood such as birch, maple, etc. These woods are processed to obtain cellulose fibers, which are used to make various types of paper.
Non-wood fiber raw materials
These include grass fibers (e.g., straw, wheat straw), bast fiber materials (e.g., flax, hemp), and seed hair fiber materials (e.g., cotton fibers). These fibers are derived from different plant parts and can also be used as an important raw material for papermaking through specific processing methods.
Second, the manufacturing process of paper
The process of papermaking begins with the selection and handling of raw materials, and goes through a series of complex process steps to finally form the paper products that we are familiar with.
(1) Fiber separation and dispersion
The fibers from the plant material are separated and dispersed in water by stirring to form a fiber suspension.
(2) Fiber mesh molding
By draining the fiber suspension on the net, the fibers form a randomly oriented network structure.
(3) Drying and processing
After the initial forming, the paper is dried and pressed to achieve the right thickness and smoothness.
(4) Additives and treatments
According to different paper needs, fillers and rubber compounds can be added. Fillers can increase the flatness and smoothness of the paper, while rubber compounds help to improve the strength and water resistance of the paper.
(5) Bleaching and dyeing
In order to manufacture different types of paper, it is often necessary to bleaching or dyeing the paper to achieve specific color and whiteness requirements.
With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the paper manufacturing industry is also constantly seeking a sustainable development path. The recycling of waste paper becomes an important source of recycled fibers, which not only reduces the need for natural plant fibers, but also saves energy and reduces environmental impact.In addition to this, technological innovations in paper are also ongoing. For example, the use of biomass fibers, the exploration of new fiber extraction methods, and the improvement of the degradability of paper.As an indispensable daily necessities, its manufacturing contains a wealth of technology and environmental considerations. It is hoped that through more people's understanding of the paper manufacturing process, we can promote our joint efforts to conserve resources and protect the environment.
