Pulp and Paper Properties of Kudzu Vines Pulped with the Kraft-AQ Process, 1999 Pulping Conference Proceedings

Katherine Doyle & Maureen Dever

Consumer and Industry Services Management, Textile Science

The University of Tennessee

Medwick V. Byrd, Jr.

Department of Wood & Paper Science North Carolina State University

The use of kudzu fiber for wet laid materials and papermaking was investigated. Kudzu vines were pulped using the kraft process. Chemical charge and cooking intensity were varied over two levels. The Kappa number, yield, viscosity, and freeness of the resulting pulps were determined. Pulps were then refined to three intensity levels. Handsheets were made and tested for bursting strength, tensile strength, tearing strength, and opacity. Optimal pulping and refining conditions were determined in an effort to maximize fiber yield and paper strength properties. Screened fiber yield was maximized using higher chemical charge and higher cooking intensity. Lower chemical charge and lower cooking intensity, combined with mild refining, maximized strength properties. Kudzu and newsprint properties were compared. Kudzu was significantly stronger than newsprint in all physical tests.