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Refining
This is where the
cellulose fibers pass through a refining process which is vital in the art of
papermaking. Before refining, the fibers are stiff, inflexible and form few
bonds. The stock is pumped through a conicle machine which consists of a series
of revolving discs. The violent abrasive and bruising action has the effect of
cutting, opening up and declustering the fibers and making the ends divide. This
is called fibrillation. In this state, the fibers are pliable and have greater
surface area, which significantly improves the fiber bonding. The properties of
the paper are directly related to the refining process. Refining used to be
called beating.
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