Abstract
The effects of alkaline treatment on the WRV, crystalline structure and sheet structure of softwood and hardwood bleached kraft pulp were investigated. Sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate were used as chemicals for alkaline treatment and two levels of alkali dosage (5%, 10%) were applied respectively. Alkali treated and untreated pulp were refined to three levels (550, 450 and 350 mL CSF). WRV of the alkali treated pulps depended on the alkaline type and concentration. It was found that the crystalline structures of softwood and hardwood pulp were not changed by refining. Sodium carbonate and lower concentration of sodium hydroxide treatment did not caused any modification of cellulose crystalline structure, while higher concentration of sodium hydroxide treatment caused the partial modification of cellulose crystalline structure. Alkaline treatment of hardwood bleached kraft pulp led to the shrinkage of fiber diameter and bulky structure of sheet. Alkaline treatment of softwood bleached kraft pulp did not cause the significant change in fiber shrinkage and bulk of sheet.