Abitibi Paper Company, Ltd.

Maxwell M Yan

James A Pozzo

Hardboard is produced by a process wherein wood solubles or sugars released principally during the pulp preparation stage are retained in a closed water system by collecting the process waters released during mechanical dewatering of the pulp to form a mat and returning such water to the system. The mat is dried by thermal evaporation with substantial quantities of sugars being deposited on the mat surfaces as a result. The mat is then pressed under conditions such as to cause flowing and caramelization of the surface sugars thus forming a crust or skin of the sugars on the mat surfaces, which sugars improve the board surface characteristics. A paper overlay may be applied to the mat prior to pressing and bonded thereto by the sugars to provide a paper overlaid hardboard.

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Oakville, Canada

Maxwell M Yan