Comparative analysis of mechanical and functional properties of recycled and virgin paper
Islam, Md Saiful (2025)
Diplomityö
2025
School of Energy Systems, Konetekniikka
Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025050939617
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025050939617
Tiivistelmä
This thesis compares recycled and virgin paper's mechanical and functional properties, focusing on key parameters such as tensile strength, bending stiffness, tearing resistance, opacity, whiteness, and brightness. Various recycled paper types were tested using mechanical and optical testing methods and compared with virgin paper for the same properties. Surface roughness was also evaluated using an advanced profilometry technique.
The results indicated that virgin papers generally exhibited superior mechanical properties, with higher tensile strength, bending stiffness, and tearing resistance than recycled papers. In contrast, recycled papers tended to display higher surface roughness. Functional properties such as brightness and whiteness were notably higher in virgin papers as well. However, recycled papers, particularly Ivory, showed performance that was closer to virgin papers in several functional properties. These findings emphasize the distinctions between recycled and virgin paper and provide valuable insights into the characteristics of both materials.
The results indicated that virgin papers generally exhibited superior mechanical properties, with higher tensile strength, bending stiffness, and tearing resistance than recycled papers. In contrast, recycled papers tended to display higher surface roughness. Functional properties such as brightness and whiteness were notably higher in virgin papers as well. However, recycled papers, particularly Ivory, showed performance that was closer to virgin papers in several functional properties. These findings emphasize the distinctions between recycled and virgin paper and provide valuable insights into the characteristics of both materials.