Wood-free paper

 ( Printing And Writing Paper ) 

In the chemical pulping of lignocellulose - plants with lignin content - chemicals separate the wood fibers. The chemicals lower the lignin content because chemical action solubilizes and degrades components of wood fibers, especially hemicelluloses and lignin. Chemical pulping yields single unbroken fibers that produce strong quality papers because the lignin that interferes with hydrogen bonding of wood fibers has been removed. Chemical pulps are used to create wood free paper that is of high quality and lasts long, such as is used in arts and archiving. Chemical pulping processes take place at high pressures and temperatures under aqueous alkaline, neutral or acidic conditions, with the goal of totally removing the lignin and preserving the carbohydrates. Normally, about 90% of the lignin is removed.J.C. Roberts, The Chemistry of Paper, 1st edn., Cambridge, 1996

Mechanical pulping, in contrast, converts raw lignocellulose into pulp without separating the lignin from the cellulose. No chemicals other than water or steam are used. The yield is about 90% to 98%. High yields result from the fact that lignin is retained. Mechanical pulps are characterized by low cost, high stiffness, high bulk, and high yield.  Mechanical pulp has low strength because the lignin interferes with hydrogen bonding between wood fibers. The lignin also makes the pulp turn yellow when exposed to light and air. Mechanical pulps are used in the production of non-permanent papers such as newsprint and magazine paper. Mechanical pulps made up 20% to 25% of the world production and this is increasing because of the high yield of the process and increasing competition for fiber resources. Advances in technology have also made mechanical pulp increasingly desirable.

Lightweight offset paper, also called onionskin, has a basis weight of 25–40 g/m2 and are normally used for bibles (hence the colloquial name Bible paper) and dictionaries.

• Tissue pulp: This is the most common type of wood-free paper. It is made from wood pulp that has been treated with chemicals to remove the lignin.
• Balsa pulp: This is a type of wood pulp that is made from balsa trees. It is very strong and lightweight, making it ideal for use in envelopes and other lightweight applications.
  American Institute of Timber Construction (2012). 9780470545096, Wiley. . ISBN 9780470545096
• Coniferous pulp: This is a type of wood pulp that is made from coniferous trees, such as pine and fir. It is strong and durable, making it ideal for use in writing and printing papers.
• Non-wood pulp: This is a type of pulp that is made from non-wood materials, such as Cotton paper, Hemp paper, linen, and bamboo. It is often used in high-quality papers, such as those used for art and photography.

Wood-free paper has a number of advantages over paper that contains mechanical pulp:

• Wood-free paper is more resistant to yellowing because lignin, the main cause of paper yellowing, has been removed from the pulp.
• It is stronger because the cellulose fibers in wood-free paper are longer and more uniform than the fibers in mechanical pulp.
• It is more durable because it is less likely to tear or crease.
• It is smoother because its surface is more refined than that of paper containing mechanical pulp.

Wood-free paper is used in a variety of applications:

• Writing and printing papers: Wood-free paper is the most common type of paper used for writing and printing.
  Otmar Tillmann (2006). 9783527309979 ISBN 9783527309979
  It is available in a variety of weights and finishes.
• Envelopes: Wood-free paper is the most common type of paper used for envelopes. It is available in a variety of colors and finishes.
• Art and photography papers: Wood-free paper is the most common type of paper used for art and photography.
• Other applications: Wood-free paper is also used in a variety of other applications, such as packaging, labels, and currency

• Coated fine paper