Measurement of fiber length, coarseness, and shape with the fiber quality analyzer

Fiber length, coarseness, and fiber curl index were measured for a variety of papermaking pulps using a new commercial instrument, the fiber quality a nalyzer (FQA). The results were compared with measurements obtained using o ther available methods. Fiber length measurements obtained with the FQA wer e similar to those reported by the Kajaani FS-200 fiber-length analyzer. Co arseness measurements obtained with the FQA were similar to results from bo th the FS-100 and the manual TAPPI method (TAPPIT 234 cm-84). Fiber curl in dex as measured by the FQA was approximately 20% lower than manual measurem ents obtained using image analysis. Repeatability and interlaboratory repro ducibility data are reported for 3 samples at 11 laboratories. The FQA flow cell operated without plugging problems, suggesting that it is suitable fo r on-line measurements.