Tissue paper is made using a specialized papermaking machine featuring a large, steam-heated cylinder called a Yankee dryer. This dryer, along with a hot air hood, dries the paper pulp efficiently.
The Tissue Paper Manufacturing Process:
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Pulp Preparation: The process begins with preparing wood pulp, the raw material. This pulp is a slurry of wood fibers suspended in water. Different types of wood pulp can be used depending on desired properties of the final tissue.
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Paper Machine: The prepared pulp is then fed onto a large, fast-moving wire mesh on a paper machine. Water drains through the mesh, leaving behind a thin sheet of intertwined wood fibers.
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Yankee Dryer: This thin sheet of paper then encounters the key component – the Yankee dryer, a large heated cylinder. This cylinder's heat and the presence of a hot air hood quickly evaporates the remaining water, drying the paper sheet. A crucial aspect is the application of adhesives to the Yankee cylinder's surface. This ensures the paper sheet adheres to the cylinder during the drying process.
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Creping: After drying, the paper is delicately peeled from the Yankee dryer. The process of peeling creates a characteristically soft and crinkled texture, often referred to as "creping".
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Finishing and Packaging: The final step involves trimming, winding into rolls, and packaging the tissue paper for distribution and retail sale. Different processes can further enhance the tissue, adding softness, strength, or other desirable features.
The entire process is highly efficient, making large quantities of soft, absorbent tissue paper possible. The unique design of the Yankee dryer is central to the manufacturing process.
