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3.5 Effect of Mixing Ratio on Folding
Folding endurances is the number or the number of folds that can be detained by the sample before
the sample failed and folded through the prescribed angle under controlled pressure [7]. Figure 5 shows
that 100 of OPF pulp gives the lowest value of 75, while 100 of ONP gives a value of 102.
This can be related to the OPF virgin pulp did not under go through beatings. Secondary ONP
pulp that undergoes beating process has a strong bond between the ibres and lexibility of ibres
that strengthen to endurance the paper folding. In addition, the presence of additives in the paper
produced from secondary ibers also improves durability of paper folding. This is through a strong
resistance of relaxation of ibers by the additives illed the vacancy and pores of the paper.
3.6 Effect of Pulp Mixing Ratio on Brightness
From Fig. 6, the brightness of the paper is increasing with addition of ONP pulp. Paper brightness refers
to overall light relection of the paper affected by the brightness of the pulp used. Experimental results
show that the paper produced from ONP pulp is brighter than that of Acetosolv oil palm fronds pulp as
can be seen in Fig.6. The presences of residual lignin remaining in Acetosolv palm fronds pulp causing light
absorption occurs and make the dark-colored paper. In addition, the low brightness of paper from Acetosolv
palm fronds pulp resulting from Acetosolv pulping which produced a dark-colored pulp. Figure5 shows
paper produced from 100 Acetosolv oil palm fronds pulp give the lowest brightness, 14.78, and paper
produced from 100 ONP pulp gives the highest brightness of 54.32. The high brightness of paper
from ONP pulp might be affected by the re-bleaching of the pulp during processing.
Fig. 4 Effect of Pulp Mixing Ratio on Tear Index
Fig. 5. Effect of Pulp Mixing Ratio on Folding
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Conclusion
Experimental results indicated that the characteristic of paper produced from mixed pulp of
Acetosolv oil palm fronds pulp and pulp ONP resulted an increasing of its physical properties such as density
as more as secondary pulp used. But it cannot be stated clearly if this physical properties is affected by its
grammage and thickness. For mechanical properties, the increasing of pulp ONP composition used, the
mechanical properties such as tensile strength, folding and fraction decreased, conversely, its tear index
increased up to the level of 20, 80 ONP pulp and decreased as more secondary pulp added to the
mixture. This is caused by ONP pulp has gone through the process of recapitulation. An optical property of a
mixture of paper produced is increasing with increasing secondary pulp composition used. However, the
mixing must be done at an optimal composition so that the paper produced meet the optimum characteristics
required of paper produced.
Acknowledgement
The authors highly acknowledged the scholarship assistance from the Government of State of Aceh,
Indonesia, which support PhD program at the Universiti Sains Malaysia USM and inancial support
from Universiti Sains Malaysia through PTEKIND Short Term Research Grant No.637048 as well.
Fig. 6. Effect on Pulp Mixing Ratio on Brightness
References
[1] Aif de Ruvo and Myat Htun. 1956Fundamental And Practical Aspects of Paper Making With
Recycle Fibres, p. 195-224. [2] Fuad, M.A.; Rohana, A.R.; Chua, B.G. 1999
Socio-economic considerations in the development of jungle to oil palm. In: Singh, G. et al. Eds,
Oil Palm and the Environment: A Malaysian Perspective Malaysia oil Palm Growers Council,
Kuala Lumpur, 1-7p
[3] Wan Rosli, W.D., Law, K.N., Valade, J.L. 1988 Chemical pulping of oil palm empty fruit bunches.
Cellulose Chemistry and Technology. 32: 133- 143.
[4] Law, K.N., Wan Rosli, W.D. 2001. Non-wood Materials With Special Reference to Oil Palm
Fibers as Papermaking Materials: Potentials and Challenges in The New Millennium. In:
Proceedings of USM- JIRCAS Joint International Symposium on Lignocellulosic Materials,
Penang, Malaysia, pp. 1–137
[5] TAPPI. 1996-1997. TAPPI Test Methods 1996- 1997. Tappi Press, Atlanta USA.
[6] William, E. S. and James, C. A, 1995Properties of Paper. An Introduction., Second Edition,
TAPPI Press, Atlanta, Ger [7] Casey J.P. 1981Pulp and paper - Chemistry
and Chemical Technology, 1981 Third Edition , volume I A Wiley - Interscience Publication ,
New York.3.
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Proiciency Testing to Benchmark Paper Testing Laboratory Performance
Sharmiza Adnan
1
, Mahmudin Saleh
Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 52109 Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia,
1
sharmizafrim.gov.my
ABSTRACT
Proiciency testing PT or interlaboratory-cross check ILCC has been widely used by calibration and testing laboratories as a quality assurance tool to determine the accuracy of their results. It is a Program organized
periodically and participated by numerous laboratories performing a test or a range of tests speciied by the organizer. In the paper testing ield, there are currently several Programs organized worldwide. However, in the
Asia Paciic region this Program is only organized by FRIM. Launched in 1998, this Program is participated by nine paper testing laboratories from all over Malaysia. Compared to other Programs, the cost incurred is very
economical and the inal report is prepared based on the requirements of ISOIEC 17043: Conformity assessment General requirements for proiciency testing. This paper explains the procedures, methods used in analysing the
data and information included in the inal report. Some indings and the beneits obtained by participants are also highlighted.
Keywords: proiciency testing, paper testing, interlaboratory-cross check
Introduction
Proiciency testing PT or interlaboratory-cross check ILCC has been widely used by calibration
and testing laboratories as a quality assurance tool to determine the accuracy of their results. It is a
Program organized periodically and participated by numerous laboratories performing a test or a range of
tests speciied by the organizer. In the paper testing ield, there are currently several Programs organized
worldwide. However, the cost of participation in PT can be substantial to small companies and developing
country government organizations like FRIM.
The PT Program organized by FRIM was initiated in 1998 due to the absence of regional Program for
paper products when the Paper Testing Laboratory in FRIM was applying for ISOIEC Guide 25 now
known as ISOIEC 17025 in 1999 [1] . Being the only research institution in Malaysia having the
paper testing facility, it was timely for such Program
to be initiated. With the support of ive paper testing laboratories, this Program was started. Several
changes have been carried out since then to fulill the requirements of new ISOIEC 17043 [2]. This
paper explains the procedures, methods used in analyzing
the data and information included in the inal report. The participation fee charged to laboratories for this
Program is much lower than those offered in the Europe and Northern America. Some indings and the
beneits obtained by participants are also highlighted.
Proiciency Testing
Figure 1 shows how PT is conducted at FRIM. The samples for PT can be obtained from the market
or manufacturers. If obtained from manufacturers, speciic instructions are given to ensure variations
in the samples are minimized. The samples are then processed in FRIM identiication of iber orientation,
surface differentiation, unique ID given. Next, homogeneity testing is conducted to ensure that the
variations in results submitted by participants are only due to the differences in the test methods and
laboratory conditions and least likely due to sample heterogeneity. This is conducted by performing the
Analysis of Variance ANOVA on the test results. If samples are not found to be homogeneous, new
samples will be obtained and the process repeated until homogeneity criteria are met. Homogeneous
samples are then carefully packed and distributed to participants together with an instruction sheet and
result reporting forms.
To enable fair reporting of results, participants are asked to provide the information on laboratory and
equipment details. A speciied time frame is given to the participants to submit their results. Results can be
submitted to FRIM through mail, facsimile or email. The person in charge will examine the results to detect
any possible discrepancies before statistical analyses are carried out. Participants will be contacted for
clariication if their results indicate inconsistencies. Due to the lack of ‘true values’ for the samples, robust
statistical analyses are carried out with all participant results evaluated without any exclusion. For this
purpose, medians are used instead of mean values and
normalized interquartile range to estimate the standard deviations. Participant performances are evaluated
using the z-score where the values below three are desired. The details on robust statistical analysis are
presented in Adnan et al. [3]. The PT cycle ends when all participants accept their reports without any
amendments or complaints.
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PT Final Reports
The PT inal report includes all the information given to the participants, the testing conditions and
results provided by them as well as interpretation of analysis results. However, the identities of
participants are kept anonymous in the report.
This is accomplished by assigning identiication number known only to the individual laboratories
and FRIM as the organizer. The inal report also includes graphical igures comparing results from all
laboratories. In particular, the Youden plots are very useful in identifying possible errors contributed by
laboratory internal problems such as operators and
equipment Figure 2. The purpose of generating a Youden plot is to illustrate the systematic differences
between laboratories. It is drawn in a black spot representing each laboratory. The spots are generated
by the results given for the same tests conducted on different samples supplied. Data points concentrated
in the lower left hand and upper right hand quadrants indicate high systematic errors.
Obtain new samples
Sample preparation Homogeneity
testing Sample distribution
Sample testing
Result submission Correction
Statistical analysis
Homogeneous?
Yes
Results ok?
End No
Report preparation No
Report distribution Yes
Figure 1. Flow chart of PT process
5.0 6.0
7.0 8.0
4.0 5.0
6.0 7.0
S a
m p
le B
Sample A
Moisture Content
Figure 2. Sample of Youden Plot
Tests Included in PT Program
The range of tests included in this program is listed in Table 1. Each cycle of the Program includes
at least two different types of paper products such as photocopy, test liner and corrugation medium. Thus,
it caters to the needs of most paper manufacturers in Malaysia.
PT Beneits and Issues
Participation in PT Program offers various beneits namely 1 providing wider network, 2 encouraging
closer relationship amongst industry players, 3 conforming to ISOIEC 17025 requirements, 4
providing better technical comprehension, 5 identifying internal laboratory problems, 6 improving
testing quality, 7 demonstrating competence, 8 enhancing test accuracy, 9 improving customer
conidence, 10 monitoring routine analysis, 11 benchmarking with peers and 12 verifying testing
methods and procedures.
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Table 1. The Range of Tests Included in PT Program Organized by FRIM
No. Test
Preferred Standard Method
Equivalent Methods ISO
SCAN TAPPI
ASTM BSBS EN
1 Grammage
MS ISO 536 536
P6 410
D646 3432
2 Thickness
MS ISO 534 534
P7 411
D645 20534
3 Moisture content oven-dry
MS ISO 287 287
P4 412
D644 3433
4 Water absorptiveness
MS ISO 535 535
P12 441
D3285 2644
5 Brightness
MS ISO 2470 2470
P3 571
D985 4432
6 Opacity
MS ISO 2471 2471
P8 519
D589 7
Burst strength MS ISO 2758
2758 P24
403 D774
3137 8
Tear strength MS ISO 1974
1974 P11
414 D689
21974 9
Tensile strength MS ISO 1924-2
1924-2 P38
494 D828
4415 10
Bending resistance MS ISO 2493
2493 P29
489 D5342
3748 11
Ring crush TAPPI 822 or 818
12192 P34
- D1164
NA
Despite the above beneits, some of the issue faced by PT organizers like FRIM are 1 instructions not
fully followed by participants which results in tests being conducted for wrong sampleiber direction
surface, 2 results are reported ‘raw’, e.g., weight reported instead of grammage, 3 insuficient
information given, e.g., units not reported, 4 variation in test methods different specimen size,
time, etc., 5 equipment used by participants have different principles, e.g., light source for brightness
and opacity and 6 different equipment resolution, e.g., 1 micron vs. 0.1 micron for caliper.
Conclusion
Proiciency testing PT is an effective quality assurance tool used by laboratories to verify the
accuracies of their results. In this Program, samples are distributed amongst participating laboratories who
will conduct tests speciied by the organizer. Results are then submitted to be analyzed by the organizer.
Most organizers specify the test methods to be used as a means to minimize variations in results submitted by
participants. Participation in PT offers several beneits including the ability to benchmark the quality of test
results, identify laboratory problems and to improve customer conidence. Besides these beneits, PT
participation could also provide wider network and encourage closer relationship between laboratories
with similar facilities. Although PT offers numerous
advantages, several challenges have been identiied and overcome with some precaution and proactive
steps by the organizer to ensure smooth execution of the Program. Due to the limited availability of PT
Programs for paper products in the Asia Paciic region, the cost of participation is quite high. This cost can
be reduced by having more Programs organized in different regions as initiated by FRIM.
References
[1] ISO, ISOIEC Guide 25, General Requirements
for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories 1999.
[2] ISO, ISOIEC 17043, Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Proiciency Testing
2010. [3] Sharmiza A., Latifah J., Mahmudin S. and Mohd
Nor M.Y., Establishment of a Proiciency Testing PT Scheme for Paper Products: A Malaysian
Experience, Appita Journal, 64 2011 30.
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