Inter-family variation in fibre dimensions of six tropical hardwoods in relation to pulp and paper production.
2012
Fibre characteristics determine utilization
potentials of timbers. Fibre dimensions influence
wood pulpability, durability and physico-mechanical
properties. Fibre length, width, lumen width and wallthickness
of six tropical timbers from three families
(Meliaceae, Sterculiaceae and Ulmaceae) were
investigated from heartwood splinters (20×2×2mm)
de-lignified in 1:1 glacial acetic acid and hydrogen
peroxide [at 600C], teased out and stained. Fibre
lengths range from 0.79mm for Holoptelea grandis
(Ulmaceae) to 1.88mm for Khaya ivorensis
(Meliaceae) similar to the mean (2mm) for tropical
hardwoods and pulpable length (0.65-1.2mm). The
Meliaceae has moderately long fibres (1.61mm) but
medium-sized for Ulmaceae (1.19mm) and
Sterculiaceae (1.59mm). Cedrella odorata
(Meliaceae) has wide fibres (36.5μm) and lumina
(27.6μm), Celtis milbraedii (Ulmaceae) has narrow
fibres (17.49μm) and lumen (8.97μm), all within
pulpable range (i.e., 9-40μm). Fibre wall thickness
ranges from 3.31μm (for H. grandis) to 5.49μm (for
Pterygota macrocarpa, Sterculiaceae) and is within
pulpable range (2.90-5.15μm). Fibre walls for
Meliaceae and Sterculiaceae are thick (> 4μm) but
medium (2-4μm) for Ulmaceae. Runkel ratio of 2.65
(for C. odorata) to 3.9 (for C. milbraedii) is greater
than stipulated for pulping (1.25). However,
Flexibility Co-efficients (within 75-50 category) and
fibre dimensions for timbers from the three families
indicate their pulping suitability. It is anticipated the
wood and construction industries exploit their fibre
characteristics for structural applications and
engineering of fibre-based products.
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