The effects of xyloglucan on the properties of paper made from bleached kraft pulp

Xyloglucan was adsorbed onto bleached soft-wood kraft pulp followed by preparation and analysis of handsheets with respect to sheet formation as well as sheet mechanical and optical properties. Adsorption of xyloglucan was found to be slow. After more than 20 hrs adsorption, equilibrium had not been reached. The amount of xyloglucan adsorbed increased with beating, but neither the rate of adsorption nor the quantity adsorbed was significantly affected by temperature. Xyloglucan was found to be practically irreversibly adsorbed onto the fibres and the effects of xyloglucan on paper sheet properties were investigated after thorough washing of the pulp. The adsorption characteristics of xyloglucan confirm observations by other authors on other cellulose substrates. Tensile index values for handsheets formed with the xyloglucan-containing pulps were higher than those measured for control pulps with a comparable beating degree. The light scattering coefficient was, however, not affected by xyloglucan adsorption. Hence, the increase in tensile strength is attributed to an increased relative bond strength between the fibres. Tensile strength versus tear strength relationship was similar for pulps with and without xyloglucan, but water retention value and dewatering resistance were lower for the xyloglucan treated pulps than for the reference pulps at the same tensile strength. In addition, formation was improved for pulps with adsorbed xyloglucan. The conclusion is that xyloglucan is a promising wet end additive that decreases the necessity for beating of the pulp and improves the formation of paper.