Effects of Wood Properties on Yield, Fiber and Sheet Characteristics for Loblolly Pine, 2008 Engineering, Pulping and Environmental Conference

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This research continues work to develop a critical quantitative understanding of the effects of wood properties (chip specific gravity, composition, microfibril angle) on the kraft pulp yield and sheet strength from loblolly pine pulpwood grown in Georgia.

This project reports on the fiber and paper properties for 13-year old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) trees from a genetic selection study. Eighteen trees were selected with a range of specific gravities and cellulose:hemicellulose:lignin contents. Chips from these trees were pulped for both bleachable and linerboard kraft grades. Correlations between pulp yield, wood composition, and Near Infrared (NIR) spectra were reported previously. For the work reported here, additional wood characteristics were measured by SilviScan and NIR. For both grades of pulps, the pulp composition, fiber properties, and handsheet strength were also measured. Statistical analysis was done to determine the wood and pulp properties that had a significant effect on handsheet strength. Wood density, fiber coarseness and length were found to have the greatest effect on sheet properties. NIR measurements were also found to correlate well with microfibril angle. These measurement systems offer the promise of rapid and comprehensive analysis that can enable foresters and wood procurement personnel to tailor a wood furnish to specifc pulp or paper end-use requirements.