Abstract
Paper consists of fiber network and paper properties were highly affected by fiber characteristics. Many researchers have tried to relate fiber and paper properties. Softwood and hardwood fiber's are quite different in their properties. Generally, softwood fiber's are longer and more flexible than hardwood fibers. At present, many paper mills make mixed paper with softwood and hardwood fibers except for special grade. During fracture some fiber's are broken and others are pulled out. In this paper, the number of broken and pulled out fiber's during fracture is analyzed depending on the mixing ratio of softwood and hardwood fiber's. Fiber length, curl, kink, coarseness, WRV and formation index were measured. Double-edged strength samples were prepared to observe the number of broken and pulled out fiber's. Mixed paper strength was decreased with increasing hardwood fibers ratio. During fracture, softwood fiber's were more likely broken and hardwood fibers were more likely pulled out. The strength of paper which consists of softwood fibers was determined by fiber's broken strength and that of hardwood fibers by fiber's debonding strength. Paper strength was changed depending on the fiber's bonding capability. If the fiber is longer and more flexible, the fiber network becomes stronger and stiffer.