Effect of relative humidity on mechanical properties of paper produce from Sesbania grandiflora pulp

Paper, by nature is hygroscopic. This means that it will pick up moisture from its environment and it will release moisture into the environment to try to reach equilibrium with the moisture in the air surrounding it. Paper is said to be in equilibrium when it neither takes on nor looses moisture to the environment. When paper are exposed at low humidity the paper will have effect on its physical and mechanical properties such as it can cause paper fibers to lose moisture and curl, shrink and lose dimensional stability quickly. Therefore, this study is conducted in order to identify this problem respectively. In this study, paper hand sheets was made from Sesbania grandiflora pulp. In addition, the paper making process was done from pulping process to paper hand sheets making then the paper are placed in conditioning room for three days before it tested. The humidity content 40%, 50% and 60% is acted as the parameter for this study. Each test is prepared into three samples to get the average reading. Based on the overall result, the mechanical strength for tearing and bursting was increased then the relative humidity also increased. Significant of this study is to place and stored paper at right place with ideal relative humidity and moisture content of surrounding to maintain the quality of paper to be used by the end users.