Abstract
Wood samples of Albizia lebbeck (L) Benth. from Khartoum State in Sudan were studied to determine their suitability for pulp and papermaking. The physical properties, anatomical features, fiber dimensions, morphological indices, and chemical composition were evaluated. Pulping was carried out using soda and soda-anthraquinone processes. Paper hand sheets were formed and the pulp and papermaking characteristics were studied. The basic wood density for A. lebbeck (508 kg/m(3)) and the average bark-to-wood ratio both by mass (10.5%) and by volume (8.8%) were in the normal range for commercial hardwoods. The average fiber dimensions and corresponding morphological indices indicated the potential of Albizia wood for making paper with good strength properties. The chemical composition was similar to that of the tropical hardwoods, with a lower lignin and higher pentosan content. The wood when pulped with a 17-22% alkali charge (as Na2O) for 120 min at 170 degrees C gave bleachable Kappa values. The addition of 0.10 degrees/0 anthraquinone to the pulping liquor reduced the active alkali consumption by 2-4% and increased the pulp yield.