Mechanical Pulp
Mechanical pulp refers to pulp derived from wood fibers using mechanical methods such as grinding, pressing, and refining. Unlike chemical pulp, which involves chemical treatments to separate fibers, mechanical pulp retains more of the wood's original structure and properties.
Synonym
Groundwood pulp
Examples
- Fiber Retention: Mechanical pulp retains a higher percentage of wood fibers compared to chemical pulp, resulting in a pulp with shorter fibers and a coarser texture.
- Applications: Mechanical pulp is commonly used in the production of newsprint, magazines, catalogs, and other types of printing and writing papers. It is also used in packaging materials, tissue paper, and certain specialty papers.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Mechanical pulp production is often more cost-effective than chemical pulping processes, making it a preferred choice for applications where cost efficiency is a priority.
Recommendations
- Quality Variations: Mechanical pulp may have lower strength and brightness compared to chemical pulp, which can affect the quality and durability of paper products.
- Environmental Impact: While mechanical pulp production is less chemical-intensive than some other pulping methods, it still has environmental considerations related to energy consumption, water usage, and waste management.
- Blending: Mechanical pulp is sometimes blended with chemical pulp or other additives to improve paper properties such as strength, brightness, and printability.
To learn more about mechanical pulp or other print characteristics, contact AP&B today!