Abstract
To evaluate the quality of waste paper used for the manufacture of linerboard, the types of papers and foreign materials in compressed waste paper currently used were investigated. The recycled fibers were obtained from printing paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, white coated paperboard and corrugated container. Their fibers were observed by using a microscope, and the mechanical properties of the recycled papers manufactured from the recycled fibers were investigated. The compressed wastepaper was composed of 54% paperboard, 20% printing paper, and 20% newsprint. The content of foreign materials was about 4%, showing higher contents compared to 1% of foreign substances provided by Korea paper manufacturers' association. The types of foreign materials were various, which include vinyls, plastics, metals, woods, styrofoams, and cloths. Sound fibers were generally observed in the recycled fibers of printing papers and wrapping paper. The recycled fibers of white coated board, corrugated container and newsprint showed to be generally damaged. The whiteness of each recycled fiber were highly affected by pulp bleaching and ink-particle mixing conditions. The values of breaking length and burst index were lower than those for corrugating medium and liner board specified in KS. Although the anatomical characteristics of recycled fibers varied, their strengths appeared to be similar. This result may be explained by the use of non-deinked fiber.
