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Abstract
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This study investigates the feasibility of using leaf sheath fiber from non-woody plant shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) as handmade paper for restoration work. By combining different raw materials of paper pulp, two types of handmade paper (type A and type B, basis weight 30g/m2) were developed. Tensile strength, folding resistance, whiteness, and other properties of paper were tested according to method of test CNS1354, CNS13078, and CNS1466. Along with papers already on the market, these samples were subjected to accelerated aging tests of dry heat (105°C) and humid heat (85°C, 85%RH). The test results showed the paper strength of type B was the best before aging, followed by type A and commercially available papers. Water absorption and smoothness of type B were also the best. After accelerated aging process, the results showed that the mechanical properties of type B were better than type A and commercially available papers. The decline trend of whiteness and water absorption of both handmade papers were similar to commercially available papers. In addition, type B-2 with additional wet strength agents worked the best. This study expectes that the development of the shell ginger leaf sheath fiber paper will provide domestic handmade paper mills an option of local materials and reduce production costs. With its stability, it can be a new choice of high-quality paper for calligraphy, painting and archival restoration.
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