Thermal anaylsis of corrugated packaging paper and its components

Abstract

In the present work, thermal behavior of corrugated packaging paper and its components were investigated. The various pyrolytic processes appeared as overlapped endotherms on the heat flow curves and as non-separated mass loss steps on the mass loss (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric curves (DTG), as weell, which correspond to the thermal decomposition of the components of the investigated sample, such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The variable amount of these components appeared as peak height differences on the corresponding endothermic peaks, as well as variable peak heights and widths on the DTG curves. The mass loss curves were also somehow characteristic to the investigated sample, and it was found, that the the straw samples had the lowest thermal stability, while the cotton samples were more stable, their thermal degradation started at least 80 °C higher, compared to the straw samples. It was determined, that in the function of hemicellulose content of the sample, on the corresponding DTG curves smaller shoulders appeared on the lower temperature side (225 and 300 °C) of the main pyrolitic steps (between 225 and 400 °C ), which could be used as an analytical markers of the hemicellulose content. The observed smaller endotherms between 400 and 450 °C could be the result of some reorganization in the carbonized remainder and it needs further investigations to clarify the ongoing processes in this temperature interval.