Influence of long-term natural aging of paper on its properties and thermal stability

Introduction. During natural aging, processes occur in cellulosic materials that lead to changes in properties and transformation of the material structure. The study of physico-chemical transformations in naturally aged paper, their influence on thermal stability and fire hazard properties of the material is limited.

The aim of the research is to establish the physico-chemical properties and thermal stability of naturally aged paper.

Objectives:

• to study the physico-chemical properties of paper of different period of publication (1946–2020);
• to evaluate the thermal characteristics of paper by thermal analysis methods with the establishment of kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition process, as well as the characteristics of heat release.

Research methods. The research was carried out for paper specimens of different year of publication (1946–2020). Bruker FT-IR spectrometer and thermal analysis methods were used for the research.

Results and their discussion. According to the results of the study it was found that in the process of paper aging hydrolytic destabilization products of lingo-carbohydrate components are formed with disturbance of morpholo­gical structure of the material (density reduction up to 20 %).

In pyrolysis for naturally aged paper, a shift of the maximum decomposition rate plot to the low-temperature region was found. The largest decrease in activation energy (up to 450 °C) was obtained for 1946 paper (Ea = 92.9–185.8 kJ/mol). Thermal oxidative decomposition of naturally aged paper at the 160…450 °C stage is characterized by a more significant mass loss (up to 48 %). The extension of temperature limits of the stage of oxidation of carbon residue for pyrolysis up to 35 % and for thermal oxidative decomposition up to 45 % was established, which contributes to the increase of total heat release up to 47 %.

Conclusions. The results indicate a significant loss of chemical and thermal stability of paper as a result of natu­ral ageing with the progression of hydrolytic destabilization of the lingo-carbohydrate complex. Physico-­chemical changes characteristic for paper of natural aging, violation of its morphological structure were established. The stage of oxidation of the carbon residue is characterized by the expansion of the temperature limits of the oxidation reaction, which has a significant exothermic effect.

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