Wisconsin Corn Stover Pulp - Part 2: Fiber Properties, 2002 Fall Technical Conference

As increases in the consumption of paper continue, papermakers are continuing to reexamine current and potential raw materials for product viability and economic benefits. In the Midwest, large quantities of corn stalks (stover) are available for papermaking. The use of this raw material would provide an additional income for local farmers while providing paper mills with another tool to use in developing the optimum furnishes for their products.

The first part of this study examined the chemical composition of the Wisconsin-grown corn stover. This section focuses on fiber and pulp properties.

The internodal sections showed the most promising fiber length distributions and lengths. As with many agricultural residues, the internodal corn stover pulp experienced a rapid drop in freeness with mild mechanical action probably due to the presence of the thin-walled parenchyma cells. The tensile strength of the corn pulp was comparable to wheat straw pulp, but the corn pulp had lower burst and tear indices. All of the internodal pulp properties were found to be of a useful range and additional pre-separation of the raw material could further improve the manufacturing possibilities for this furnish. Overall, Wisconsin corn stover shows great promise as an additional papermaking raw material for the Midwest.