adminAnalysts estimate that between 4 to 8 billion trees get cut down for paper manufacturing each year. Some people avoid using trees in the paper-making process as an eco-friendly DIY project.
All to say, there’s more than one way to make paper products at home and in the paper industry. The following guide will explain how to make wood into paper and what alternative materials exist.
Read on to learn just what it takes to make fresh sheets of paper and other paper products.
How to Make Wood Into Paper
First, wood logs get put into a debarking machine that removes all the log’s bark. The wood gets chopped into small chips and cooked in acid to separate certain fibers from lignin.
The end result is a pulpy and fibrous solution that gets cleaned with a water and bleach mixture. The bleach removes the acid and kills any remaining lignin. The bleach water also creates the bright white color of paper sheets.
Special blades then flatten and untangle the fibers and bond them together to make the paper strong. Some manufacturers add calcium carbonate to boost the pulp’s thickness and opacity or colored dyes and this stage.
Next, machines remove water from the pulp to dry it out. The pressure and heat increase through this process so that a sheet of paper comes out the other end. Finally, the paper goes through infrared radiation to make sure there isn’t any leftover moisture.
Making Paper From Sawdust
You can make your own paper with the right tools and sawdust. You’ll start by using a blender to mix the sawdust with water.
Then, you’ll pour the pulpy mixture into a plastic tub. Using a mould and deckle, you’ll scoop up some of the pulp that you’ve made.
Next, you’ll transfer the sheet made from the mould to a flat surface that’s also absorbent. For the final step, press out anyway remaining water and let the paper dry completely.
Using Cotton Pulp
Other than wood, cottonseed makes a great crop for paper production. Cotton pulp for paper-making usually gets created via a soda process and uses scraps from the textile industry.
It’s also possible to use cotton balls to make paper at home. It starts by tearing cotton balls with your hands and pulling them to form wisps. Note that it’s best to use real cotton balls and not synthetic versions.
Add in other finely shredded cotton scraps such as paper towels, toilet paper, and napkins. Then, use a blender to mix all your cotton material with warm water similar to the sawdust method.
Fill a tub with the cotton pulp mixture and dip your paper mold down into the mix until it’s covered. Lift the mold out of the tub and let any excessive water drain out.
Next, use a sponge to press any remaining moisture out. You can then remove your paper sheets from the mold and let them dry on for about 24 hours.
Ready to Make Paper?
Although the process is fairly straightforward, paper-making at all levels requires skill and practice. Now that you know how to make wood into paper and cotton into paper, are you ready to give it a try?
Take a look at our site’s technology and business sections for more fascinating manufacturing processes.
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