Physical, Mechanical and Optical properties of the Unbleached Kraft Pulp of Eucalyptus microtheca from Iranshahr Region

Unbleached kraft pulp of Eucalyptus microtheca from Iranshahr region (Sistan and Baloochestan province) was prepared and its physical, mechanical and optical properties including grammage, thickness, density, bulk, tensile strength, tear strength, burst strength, brightness and opacity, were measured. To determine the best experimental treatment concerning total mechanical and optical properties of handsheets, the scoring method based on the normalization equations was used. The mechanical and optical properties of the best treatment were determined as follow: Tensile index 40.50Nm/g, Tear index 5.68 mNm²/g, Burst index 2.954 kPam²/g, Brightness 17.77 percent ISO and opacity 98.57 percent. The results show that unbleached kraft pulp of Eucalyptus microtheca from Iranshahr has suitable mechanical and optical properties for the production of packaging paper. Thus, development of its plantation in Iranshahr region, with the aim of supplying part of the required cellulosic raw material for local pulp and paper industries, is recommended.