This study investigate the impact of high-intensity ultrasound treatment on the mechanical properties of pulp fibers. The pulp fiber samples are sonicated in an acoustically optimized beaker where high-intensity ultrasound is generated using a tuned sonotrode device. The idea is to create a controlled resonance to efficiently enhance the sound pressure in the beaker. Input power was 90 W. The objective is to define the difference between freely suspended fibers in a beaker compared to keeping fibers in a fixed position. The hypothesis is that fiber treatment at a specific input power will be more efficient in the case when fibers are kept in a high pressure zone. Since the fiber wall is a layered structure, it is likely to delaminate internally which will affect the mechanical properties of the fiber. The effect on fiber properties is verified by measuring the ultrasound attenuation spectra for the treated fibers. The attenuation measurements are based on measurements of a low-intensity ultrasound pulse-echo technique. On a macroscopic scale, changes in the attenuation spectra relates to a change in mechanical properties of the fiber wall, since the suspended fibers more or less retain their diameter and length distributions.
ISBN för värdpublikation: 978-3-939296-15-7