freeness
pulp
Quick Summary
Freeness, in papermaking, refers to how readily water drains from pulp. Mechanical pulps, like groundwood, are less "free" than chemical pulps because their fibers are fragmented and contain more debris. This results in papers that are less strong but more opaque and bulky, with good printing qualities. Groundwood pulp contains lignin, which causes discoloration (yellowing) when exposed to light and heat. While bleaching can improve whiteness, it doesn't match pure cellulose.1
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