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The present paper deals with the effect of accelerated ageing on the ability of fibres to undergo saturation with water and the corresponding swelling kinetics. Changes in the surface charge of aged paper fibres were also investigated. Accelerated ageing was performed with newsprint paper at 98 °C and 50% RH during 0, 3, 5,7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days. The rate and maximum swelling of accelerated aged paper in water were obtained with a modified monitoring unit measuring wood swelling ability. Since paper swells extremely fast in water, even at 30 °C, this apparatus made it possible for the first time to obtain accurate kinetic data on aged paper swelling in water. The polyelectrolyte titration technique was used to investigate changes in the surface charge on fibres from accelerated aged paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]