Hydrophobization and strengthening of cellulose materials from secondary resources

The influence of the sizing agent and filler on the physical-mechanical and surface properties of paper from the cellulose mass of the inner layer of the bark of mulberry tree branches has been studied. According to standard methods, the mechanical strength and absorbency were studied. Surface absorbency for one-side wetting was determined by the method of Cobb(30), by determining the mass of water absorbed by the paper surface when wetting one side of the test sample. It was found that it is advisable to add a sizing agent in the range from 1 to 1.5 g per 100 g of dry cellulose raw materials, since an increase in the additive to 2 g helps to reduce the interfiber bonding forces by 21 %. The addition of 6 g of kaolin affects the distance between the fibers, which reduces the mechanical adhesive forces by 12.5 %. During the analysis of the surface properties of paper samples, the sizing efficiency was found to be from 22.5 to 30 % with an increase in the addition of sizing glue, which can be explained by densification of the structure, which prevents the penetration of aqueous solutions. The addition of 2 to 6 g of kaolin also increases water resistance from 17.5 to 25 %. With the help of a mathematical model, rational values of absorbency were revealed with a composition of 92 %, with a sizing agent of 1.5 g and an amount of filler of 4 g. The resulting mathematical model can be used as the basis for controlling the surface characteristics of paper during its production.