On what mankind did not write! Rocks, cave walls, wooden, clay and stone tablets, bronze pillars ... Perhaps, thanks to the latter, a proverb arose that not every ax could cope with what was written. But none of these materials met the need for writing. Until they invented paper.
The invention of papermaking technology in China has long been attributed to Tsai Lun, the imperial dignitary. At least, it was he who first applied to the emperor of China for the widespread introduction of his paper- making method . The learned dignitary in a special way mixed hemp and mulberry fibers, ashes, water, cloth rags, put them into shape, leveled them like parchment and papyrus producers did. The emperor approved the petition. It so happened that although similar material was made in China long before the dignitary requested, the invention of paper is attributed to him.
Papermaking technology has improved in every country, and over time, paper has become the most popular, although not very high-quality material.
In 1770, the manufacturer Whatman was able to create a machine that saved finished paper from traces of the form in which it was dried. After 30 years, the first paper machine was built in France. Since then, paper has become known everywhere and has ceased to be a shortage.
Today, paper technology has been worked out to the smallest detail and consists of several stages.
At the first stage, raw materials are prepared. Pines and spruces are chopped, cut into beams, sanded with special machines using the dry barking method. The bars cleaned from the bark are crushed to the state of wood chips.
The second stage is the manufacture of semi-finished products. Papermaking technology implies that in wood-based workshops carefully prepared wood chips are ground on defibrers, turning it into wood pulp. In the same workshops, the mass is bleached and thickened.
At the third stage, the wood pulp and thermomechanical pulp are mixed, cellulose is added, sorted, bleached again and only then sent to the paper machine. A web is formed on the nets of these machines, from which the presses squeeze water. Then the paper is dried in cylinders, made smoother with the help of calender rolls, wound on knurled rollers, cut into the desired formats.
This papermaking technology has only one drawback: it greatly reduces the amount of wood on Earth.
Each stage of industrial paper making has its own name.
- Pretreatment or accumulation. The raw material is crushed, mixed with fillers, dyes or bleaches, enters the accumulative mixing basin, whose task is to ensure the smooth operation of paper machines.
- Refining, i.e. alignment of the structure of paper pulp.
Today, some countries (in particular, Japan) make handmade paper for souvenirs. It looks peculiar, is expensive, but is considered a great gift.
Few people know that you can make paper ... at home.
Home-made papermaking technology
1. Grind the waste paper (napkins, newspapers, etc.), fill it with water, beat with a mixer until you get a uniform “dough”.
2. Add glue, mix, put in a grid tray covered with gauze. Wring out with hands, level, cover with gauze and put the press.
3. Leave for several days, constantly turning over for a uniform outflow of moisture.
Such homemade paper will not differ in special beauty, but will be quite suitable for a souvenir, especially made by children.
This is not the only, but the easiest way to make paper at home.