Determination of thermal, physical, optical and mechanical properties of waste papers prepared by adding Firetex

In the study, mechanical pulp-based (newspaper) papers were used as raw material, and water-based Firetex (stone water) commercial product was used as fire retardant. Waste papers were refibrilled in the pulper and recycled with the rapid-köthen machine. Firetex was applied to the papers at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% concentrations by immersing method. The thermal, mechanical and optical properties of the test papers produced within the scope of the study were measured and optimized. In the study, as a result of the thermogravimetric (TGA) analyzes of the test samples, it was determined that the carbonization and residue amount increased significantly with the increased Firetex ratio. It was determined that the limit oxygen index (LOI) values of the samples also increased with the increasing Firetex ratio, the LOI value of 26 accepted as the standard with 50% concentration was exceeded, and the device limits were exceeded in the samples treated with 100% fire retardant. In the study, the strength properties of the test papers were also measured. It has been determined that the increased Firetex ratio improves the resistance against burning, while reducing the tensile and tearing resistance. The best strength values were obtained with the solution containing 25% Firetex, but the strength values of the samples treated with the solution containing 50% Firetex were also close to the control levels. The resistance values of the samples treated with 75% and 100% Firetex were measured far below the standards. In addition, although it is not very effective in terms of newsprint, it was determined that the increased Firetex ratio also increased the yellowness of the papers. As a result of the study, when the LOI and strength values are considered together, the most suitable Firetex concentration for waste newspaper was determined as 50%.