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MINERAL PAPER
In Ray Bradbury's classic futuristic novel Fahrenheit
451, firemen's job is to burn books. The title refers
to the temperature at which paper catches fire. A new
invention might have made all the difference in the totalitarian
society Bradbury imagined: paper that won't burn!
Technological stew
Paper was invented in China in about 105, made from a
pulp of boiled-down rags, bark and hemp, but it is still
a thoroughly modern material. Over the centuries, paper
making has evolved and adapted to the raw materials available,
users' needs and some highly specialized applications.
Take a close look at this paper: it resists fire!
Virtually indestructible!
What mineral substance is known for being fire resistant?
Asbestos, of course! By incorporating chrysotile* fibres
into the pulp, researchers were able to produce a sort
of non-inflammable paper. The chrysotile fibres are so
tough that they also make the paper more durable. This
mineral paper could be used to print valuable documents
that have to be long-lasting and fire-resistant.
*Chrysotile is an non-flammable fibrous material, able
to withstand most chemicals.
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| Picture: Michel Brunelle |
Save our trees!
People expected that the spread of the Internet would
reduce paper consumption. Wrong! The worldwide demand
for paper has doubled over the past twenty years and experts
are predicting that it will double again by 2010. It's
no surprise that researchers are eager to find new manufacturing
techniques.
Thanks!
The samples of mineral paper were manufactured by the
Centre spécialisé en pâtes et papiers in Trois-Rivières.
The samples and the block of chrysotile are on loan from
Papiers Alexandrie in Montréal.
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