Chapter 24 - Papers & Boards: Sources, Origins & Properties

What is the definition of a 'source' in the context of materials?

It is where a material originates from.

What is a 'raw material'?

A natural material in its original, unprocessed state.

What does the term 'process' mean when referring to materials?

Changing a material to make it suitable for manufacturing products.

What is the primary natural source for paper and boards?

Trees, which are a natural and renewable resource.

Being a 'renewable resource' means that the source, trees, can _______ naturally and be replaced over time.

regrow

What is the name of the organisation that promotes the responsible management of the world's forests?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

What does the FSC logo on a product indicate?

The product is sourced from responsibly-managed forests.

What does it mean for a resource to be 'sustainable'?

The resource can replenish itself so future generations can meet their needs.

How are paper and boards made into a sustainable material?

Through carefully managed forests, such as by replanting felled trees.

What unlawful practice can make the use of timber for paper unsustainable?

Illegal logging, which contributes to deforestation.

Transporting timber from far locations can contribute to what environmental problem?

Carbon emissions.

In which regions are coniferous softwoods most commonly found?

Northernmost Europe and Northwest USA.

Where do tropical hardwoods mainly grow?

Along the equator.

Approximately how many mature trees are required to make 1000 kg of A4 white paper?

24 mature trees.

Why was recycled paper created?

To reduce the environmental impact of the paper making process.

What is the main benefit of using recycled paper?

Fewer trees are needed to make the same amount of paper.

Paper and boards are manufactured in two main categories: paper and _______.

boards

In what unit is the weight of paper measured?

Grams per square metre (gsm).

In what unit is the thickness of boards, such as card and cardboard, measured?

Millimetres (mm).

What are the typical working properties of paper (80-170 gsm)?

Flexible, lightweight, and available in a range of colours and finishes.

What are some common example products made from paper?

Newspapers, magazines, bus tickets, receipts, and toilet paper.

What is the structure of corrugated cardboard?

Two layers of card with a fluted (wavy) sheet in between.

What are the key working properties of corrugated cardboard?

Strong, lightweight, and impact resistant.

What is foam board composed of?

Polystyrene foam sandwiched between two pieces of thin card.

What are the main working properties of foam board?

Lightweight and rigid.

What is the first step in processing timber to make paper?

The timber is debarked and chipped into small pieces.

The process of turning timber chips into a usable pulp for paper can be either __________ or chemical.

mechanical

In mechanical pulping, what are the large tanks used to soak timber chippings called?

Pulpers.

What is the second step in the mechanical pulping process?

Raw timber chippings are soaked in water.

How are the soaked timber chippings turned into pulp in the mechanical process?

They are pulverised with rotor blades.

What is the final step of the mechanical pulping process to form paper?

The pulp is sprayed onto mesh and pressed through rollers.

What is used in chemical pulping to break down timber pieces into pulp?

Chemicals.

In chemical pulping, what other fibres might be blended with the wood pulp to improve quality?

Cotton and linen.

What types of agents are added during chemical pulping to alter the paper's appearance?

Bleaching agents, dyes, and fillers.

After additives are mixed in, what is the next step in the chemical pulping process?

The pulp is washed to remove contaminants.

The diagram of the recycling process ('paper to paper') begins with paper collection, followed by de-inking and then processing in ________ _______.

cleaning chambers

What are two methods for processing paper into cardboard?

Sandwiching layers of paper together, or pressing layers of wet pulp together.

How is the wavy middle layer of corrugated cardboard formed?

Paper is pressed to the required thickness and then crimped.

How are the layers of corrugated cardboard joined together?

Two outer layers of paper are glued to either side of the wavy middle layer.

What is added to standard corrugated cardboard to create double-walled cardboard?

An additional wavy and outer layer.

What is the benefit of using double-walled cardboard?

It is more rigid, which increases its protection properties.

What is 'wood pulp'?

Wood fibres that are processed and reduced down with chemicals or mechanically to make paper.

What type of tree is traditionally used to create wood pulp, and why?

Softwood trees, because their fibres are longer, making stronger paper.

What is the purpose of 'sizing' in the papermaking process?

To add materials like chalk or chemicals to change the paper's opacity and absorbency.

What is a 'calender' in the context of paper manufacturing?

A high-pressure roller used to drain excess water from pulp and press it.

What is the purpose of adding treatments or coatings to paper?

To give the paper different aesthetic qualities.

What does rigidity mean?

A material's resistance to bending.

What is meant by the term embossed?

A pattern stamped onto a surface so that it stands out.

What is meant by the term laminated?

Having at least two layers of material bonded together, often to make it waterproof.

What is the formula for calculating the total cost of materials?

Total cost = individual price × quantity needed.

What is 'offset lithography'?

A commercial printing method using four colours (CMYK) for high-speed, high-volume printing on card-based products.

In offset lithography printing, ink is transferred from a metal plate to a ______ _______ before being applied to the paper.

rubber roller

What process uses a blade to cut specific shapes out of paper or card?

Die cutting.

What is 'scoring' in the context of working with card?

Making an indented scratch to allow paper or card to be folded with ease.

What type of renewable, paper-based packaging is commonly used for liquids like juice and milk?

Tetra Brik.

A felled tree is an example of a ____ material.

raw

Paper that has gone through the pulping process is an example of a _________ material.

processed

What is the fundamental carbohydrate that forms the cell wall in plant cells and is extracted to make paper?

Cellulose.