Although papermaking started in 105 AD with the use of straw, bark, and other nonwoody materials, the bulk of papermaking pulp in developed countries today is made from wood. Developing countries often have very little wood resources and have to use non-woods. Pulping wood requires higher temperatures and pressures than can normally be developed safely in student laboratories. For this reason, this experiment will use non-wood plants as starting materials.
SAFETY FIRST:
Many common plants are poisonous and can cause skin irritation. Use caution when handling plants; stick with familiar varieties. The use of rubber gloves is advised. Avoid breathing the dust of any dried plant when cutting it into pieces. Use of a dust mask is recommended
.There are many common cultivated and wild plants available to the student, which can be successfully converted into papermaking
pulp. Here is a list of prospective raw materials:
grass clippings
dandelion
ragweed
kudzu vines
cotton stalks
hay
milkweed
corn stalks
bean stalks
wheat or rice straw
dog fennel
tobacco stalks
sweet potato vines
The key is that the plant should have a stem that, when pulled apart, shows evidence of thread
like fibers at the pull apart point. The plant stem is usually what is used for pulping. Avoid
leaves, bark, and roots, since these materials contain little or no fiber and can consume all the
chemicals used for pulping.
Use the following procedure for raw material preparation:
Remove all roots, branches, flowers, and leaves from the raw material. Most non-woods don’t have bark, so removal should not be necessary.
Cut stalks into ½ inch long pieces or so. Grass clippings and more shredded types of raw materials can be used without cutting.
To minimize degradation of the raw materials and also to get them to a known moisture content, spread the chopped materials out in a thin layer in a room or outside in the sun. Allow the materials to dry for several days, turning them once a day to insure even drying.
After the materials are dry, place them in a labeled plastic bag and tie it closed.