Use of Modern Microscopes in Analysing Fiber and Paper Properties (II)-New Aspect in Fibrillation of Pulp Fibers during Refining-

The CLSM and the image analysis technique enhanced observation of fiber wall fibrillation occurred in both the outer and the fiber wall surfaces during refining by non-destructive techniques. In the early stages of refining, it was well observed that a partial separation between the S1 and S2 layer in the secondary wall was made generating a space in the wet fiber walls . With further refining, it was clearly shown that the shear forces imparted by the refiner bar surfaces caused the S1 layer to become totally separated from the S2 layer as well as creating microfibrils. Furthermore, the fibrillation in the inner fiber wall surfaces could be due to the normal force (Fn) by refiner bars, friction force between a fiber and refiner bars (Fs) and inner friction force between fiber walls(fs). It was confirmed that the concept of fibrillation should be extended to fibrillation in the inner fiber wall surfaces as well as internal and external fribrillation.