Abaca as a reinforcement fiber for softwood pulp.

The article offers an investigation of the affect of additional neutral sulfite abaca pulp to the paper strength properties of softwood pulp. The author says that the addition of abaca increases the tearing resistance, folding endurance, fracture roughness and isotropic air permeability of handsheets of a softwood kraft pulp. The article also discusses the methodology of the study as well as the abaca processing and its components including caustic soda and alkaline sulfite. Tables and charts showing the properties of the pulps, tearing resistance and dewatering resistance functions of abaca on different variables are also provided.