Cellulose fibre composition

Abstract

A cellulosic composition comprising fibres having a length weighted average fibre length (“LWAFL”) of 0.25 to 0.40 mm.

1 . A cellulosic composition comprising fibres having length weighted average fibre length (“LWAFL”) of 0.25 0.40 mm. 
     
     
         2 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 1 , the composition comprising, by weight:
 (a) 15% to 25% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.001 mm to 0.2 mm;   (b) 40% to 60% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm;   (c) 8% to 35% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.5 mm to 1.2 and   (d) less than 3% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 1.2 mm to 2.0 mm.   
     
     
         3 . A cellulosic composition comprising, by weight:
 (a) 15% to 25% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.001 mm to 0.2 mm;   (b) 40% to 60% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm;   (c) 8% to 35% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.5 mm to 1.2 and   (d) less than 3% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 1.2 mm to 2.0 mm.   
     
     
         4 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a Water Retention Value (WRV) of 600% to 2000%. 
     
     
         5 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises, by weight:
 (a) 15% to 25% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.001 mm to 0.2 mm;   (b) 45% to 55% fibres of an a length weighted average fibre length of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm;   (c) 20% to about 30% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm and   (d) less than 1% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 1.2 mm to 2.0 mm.   
     
     
         6 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic composition is in the form of pellets, granules or powder. 
     
     
         7 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition also comprises one or more functional additives. 
     
     
         8 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the functional additives are selected from dyes and pigments for colouring, resins and waxes for waterproofing, lime, fire retardants including natron, silicate, glues, metal powders and graphites for electrical conductivity, latex for flex and waterproofing, fillers and very long fibres of 1.5-6.0 mm in length for increased tensile strength. 
     
     
         9 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is prepared by any one or combination of processing methods including ultra friction grinding, high pressure homogenizing, cryo grinding, extrusion, steam explosion, ultra sonic treatment, enzyme-fibre separation, high consistency/medium consistency/low consistency refining, chemical treatment or Whitewater fines recovery. 
     
     
         10 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein components of the composition are prepared separately and mixed together. 
     
     
         11 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein two or more intermediary compositions with different fibre length distributions are prepared and mixed in the required proportions to form the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The cellulosic composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the raw material used in the preparation of the compositions comprises one or more of short/ultra short cellulose fibres/fines recovered from waste streams, recovered paper, recovered fines in Whitewater from paper & pulp processing and recovered cotton fibres, any cellulosic fibres used in pulp & paper processing and plant fibres having a high cellulosic content such as hemp, flax, cotton, abaca, sisal and jute. 
     
     
         13 . A product made from a composition as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The product as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the density of the product is from 0.5 g/cm3 to 1.5 g/cm3. 
     
     
         15 . The product as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the tensile modulus of the product is from 3500 MPa to 10800 MPa. 
     
     
         16 . The product as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the tensile strength of the product is from 27 MPa to 115 MPa.