Abstract

This study was carried out in order to investigate the suitability of ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.), a native tree (species) in Turkey, for pulp and paper making. Four pulping methods, which included NSSC, cold soda, kraft and kraft + anthraquinone pulping processes, were used for this study. The test materials were supplied from two different stands found in Istanbul Bahcekoy region. When ash wood samples as ash 1 and ash 2 chemical contents were analyzed, the chemical components of ash 1 were higher than that of ash 2. Pulps and handsheets were obtained from ash 1 and were suitable for use in papermaking. These pulps were obtained by NSSC (neutral sulfite semi chemical pulping), cold soda, kraft and kraft + anthraquinone processes. Handsheets made from different pulping methods were compared with each other for strength and optical properties. Strength properties were found to be higher for kraft and kraft + anthraquinone processes, while optical properties were found to be higher for cold soda and NSSC processes.

Key words: Ash, Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl., NSSC, cold soda, kraft, kraft + anthraquinone.