LINTING PROPENSITY OF MECHANICAL PULPS - LINT IS FINER THAN IT USED TO BE

The type, characterization and determination of lint in mechanical and high-yield pulps and pulp fines is discussed. The factors affecting the pulp linting propensity index (PLPI) in whole pulps are reviewed. Using the laboratory method to determine the PLPI of high-yield pulps, it is shown that specific energy, wood species, and chemical treatment are the main factors which determine the linting propensity. It is suggested that using the modified method, which can determine the specific surface distribution of fines, further improvements in the pulp linting propensity can be achieved.