Papers Relating to Experiments of Tow for Papermaking purposes.

Manawatu Herald, 3 August 1893, Page 2

Papers Relating to Experiments of Tow for Papermaking purposes.

■ Analysed by Cbois & Bbtam, Moisture . .. ... 8 5 percent Inorganic constituents . . 1-1 „ „ Cellulose (pare) bleached [fibre ■-;. .. 47-6 „ „ Other organic constituents I dissolved in process of I isolating cellulose . . 42*8 „ „ I The percentage of cellulose in well dressed Phormium (long fibre) varies from 65 to 70 per cent; the

percentage of nearly 50 per cent of pure cellulose compares favourably with that of the staple raw fibrous material used in paper -making. If equal to esparto and superior to wood and straw on this important point of yield of bleached fibre, the phormium fibre is much superior to all three in regard to the length of the ultimate fibre cell, which is from 5 to 8 m.m. (£ to J inch) as compared with l-sth to 3 m.ni. (l-15th to 3 -Bth) in the above and the majority of raw materials with which it would come into competition. Our practical conclusion with rejard to the material are these : — IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR WHITE PAPERS. » The cuticle of the plant is so extremely resistant that it could, not be eliminated (bleached) except at a great cost for ohemioals and under treatment of such severity as to seriously prejudice the yield and strength of the fibre. The condition of our trial we seleoted in fact as the extreme for economic treatment and the result warrants this final conclusion. But it is suitable for papers of special kind where strength and toughness are the desiderata. Of these we would instance' more particularly Cap papers, high class wrapping papers, and papers required to carry a lot of pigment. It is impossible to arrive at a satisfactory estimate until larger trials have been made. (Sgn.) Cross & Bkvan. Letter to Agent-General from agent of Messrs Cowan & Co. Dear Sir, — I have now had the Phormium Tenax tow you sent manufactured into paper and I regret to say the result is not so satisfactory as was expected from the chemist laborI atory test ; nor so satisfactory as I the fibre in itself promised before being treated. I send you herewith tow samples— one bleached and the other unbleached. Examination of the raw fibre as jsent by you,. led to the expectation of I a cleaner and stronger paper. The y laboratory test also in a measure I strengthened the opinion, but neither Lhave been realized. The unbleached I sample was treated in exactly the same way as the mills are in the habit, of treating their strongest staff. The fibre was very much mixed with the bark and while this ' was picked out as well and closely as possible, you will see the sample of paper is very specky, and also that it has not the great strength looked for. The white sample got full and careful treatment in the usual manner, but also has turned out very short, considering the style of raw material and you will notice on looking through the sheet, the fibre has run with knots and that the paper is unequal and soft handling. Of course you will readily understand that considerable difficulties present themselves in treating such a small quantity as you sent to us and also in the fact this is a new fibre from the paper-makers point of view. With perseverance and better knowledge something better might be made of it than the sample we Bend you show, but to be of any use, it would require to be brought into this country at a very low price. So far as our knowledge goes we would put it against jute cuttings which at the moment averages £4 to £5 per ton. If the laboratory test had been carried out the value might have run from £8 to £10. If you think of carrying this matter through I have aaranged to have another experiment made ; but it will be better to have a sufficient quantity to make this trial and I would say & quantity of not less than 6 to 10 tons. Anything further you may require I shall very gladly undertake in so far as lies in my power.— l am <fee, Alsz Young.