RECYCLED FIBER QUALITY FROM A LABORATORY-SCALE BLADE SEPARATOR BLENDER

A simple and inexpensive fiber separator/blender was developed to gene rate useful secondary fibers from hydropulped waste paper. Processing wet hydropulped fiber resulted in a furnish with no change in average fiber length in three out of four types of recycled fibers tested. In all cases, the Canadian Standard freeness increased after processing c ompared to hydropulped-only fibers. Micrographs of the fibers obtained using an environmental scanning electron microscope indicate increase d fiber flexibility and curl. Following fiber separation, the unit als o doubles as a blender, permitting easy blending of fibers, liquid res ins, and particulate matter such as thermoplastics, later used to manu facture composite panels.