Abstract
The aim of this article is to review the general property of the famous traditional Korean paper, "rice straw paper"(Bast-Fiber mixed with straw pulp), and to compare the paper qualities varying with the composition ratio of straw pulp, in order to revive the traditional paper in modem Korea. The experiment was carried out by making first the two different mixture papers, i. e., one is the paper of 50% bast fiber mixed with 50% straw pulp, and the other is the paper of 75% bast fiber with 25% oats straw pulp, and finally the 100% bast fiber paper was made for the purpose of comparison. The qualitative properties of these three kinds of paper with the different mixing ratio of the straw pulp were evaluated, and the findings of the experiment can be summarized as follow: 1. As to the quality aspects of the paper strength like tensile strength, breaking length, elongation, and tear strength, the test proved the 100% bast fiber paper as best, and the 50% mixed paper as the next good one. 2. In aspect of the printing adaptability such as density, opacity, brightness, whiteness, lab colors, air permeability, and roughness, the 50% mixed paper proved to be the best, due to the short cells in the straw pulp. 3. As to the air permeability, the larger ratio of straw pulp was found to be the lesser, and 75% bast fiber with 25% straw pulp mixture paper and the 100% bast fiber one were found 1/5 degree efficient. 4. In terms of the water absorption degree, 100% bast fiber paper was the fastest, but in case of mixture paper, 50% mixed one was a little faster up to the point of 1cm, while the two kinds of mixed ones appear to be almost similar to each other beyond the point. 5. The straw pulp mixed paper, especially the 50% mixed one was evaluated as the highest by the calligraphers who had experienced using the papers in terms of movement and feeling of the caligraphy and painting. In addition, although the 25% mixed paper is judged to be good for book printing because of the strength, the 50% mixed paper can be thought to be more desirable for painting and calligraphy. In conclusion, we will be able to make the quality paper with durability, by mixing the straw pulp with the bast fiber in proper ratio, following the tradition of Korean paper making.
