Hankausmateriaali

Hankausmateriaali, also known as paper pulp, is a fibrous material derived from the mechanical or chemical processing of wood, non-wood plant materials, or recycled paper. It is a fundamental component in the production of paper and paperboard. The term "pulp" refers to the soft, fibrous material that is obtained after the wood or other plant materials have been broken down into their constituent fibers.

The process of producing pulp can be either mechanical or chemical. Mechanical pulping involves grinding the wood fibers into a pulp without using chemicals, resulting in a pulp that is suitable for making newsprint and other low-grade papers. Chemical pulping, on the other hand, uses chemicals such as sodium hydroxide or sodium sulfide to break down the lignin that binds the wood fibers together, resulting in a pulp that is suitable for making high-quality papers and paperboard.

Hankausmateriaali is characterized by its high fiber content, which gives it the necessary strength and flexibility for paper production. It is typically measured by its pulp yield, which is the percentage of the original wood or plant material that is converted into pulp. The quality of the pulp is also determined by factors such as its brightness, fiber length, and fiber strength.

In addition to being used in the production of paper and paperboard, hankausmateriaali can also be used in the production of other products such as cardboard, insulation materials, and even as a component in composite materials. Its versatility and sustainability make it an important resource in the paper and forestry industries.