a b s t r a c t
Cellulosefibers werefibrillated usingmechanical beating (shearing refiner) and ultra-fine friction grinder,
respectively. The fibrillated fibers were then used to make paper. Mechanical beating process created a
partial skin fibrillation, while grinding turned fiber from micro to nanoscale through nanofibrillation
mechanism. The partially fibrillated and nano fibrillated fibers had significant effects on paper density,
tear strength, tensile strength and water drainage time. The effect of nanofibrillation on paper properties
was quantitatively higher than that of mechanical beating. Paper sheets from nanofibrillated cellulose
have a higher density, higher tensile strength and lower tear strength compared to those subjected to
mechanical beating. Mechanical beating and nanofibrillation were both found to be promising fiber structural
modifications. Long water drainage time was an important drawback of both fibrillation methods.