The effect of pH on the formation of precipitates (lignin, extractives and metals) on kraft pulp surfaces was
examined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry
and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A softwood kraft pulp slurry from an oxygen delignification stage was
diluted to 3% consistency with water or an acidic Z filtrate. After heating to 70 C the pH was lowered from
11 to 2–5, using sulphuric acid. Lignin and extractives precipitated at pH values below 6, and their amounts
increased with decreasing pH. Most of the precipitated lignin was found on the pulp surface after sheet
forming, whereas the main part of the precipitated extractives could be easily washed away with water. The
layer of precipitated lignin was apparently thicker than the layer of extractives. AFM showed the precipitated
material as a granular phase. Neither surface morphology nor surface coverage depended on the
addition of Z filtrate. The amount of metals in the pulp and on the pulp surface decreased when pH was
lowered to 2. More metals, such as Ca and Mg, were detected in the pulps as well as on the sheet surfaces
when the pulp was diluted with Z filtrate. Strength and bonding properties of the pulp sheets were slightly
impaired by the precipitated material. Acidification appears to be the main reason for the precipitation of
both lignin and extractives on the pulp surfaces. This should be taken into account when filtrates are recycled
in the bleaching or washing of pulps