Z-Directional distribution of fiber orientation of Japanese and western papers determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy

Confocal laser scanning microscopy was applied to visualize inside fibers stained with a fluorescent dye, and the fiber orientation distribution in the thickness direction was determined by image analysis from optically sliced images. Fiber orientation angle and anisotropy were determined by the fast Fourier transform method, which holds advantages over the conventionally applied Hough transform with regard to evaluation of fiber width-weighted contribution and intrafiber segmental contribution. An orthogonally layered Japanese paper handmade by the flow-sheet forming method resulted in a clear change of fiber orientation angle from 0° to 90°. Machine-made wood-containing printing paper showed the highest anisotropy, while copier paper showed a low anisotropy. Thick papers like the wood-free paperboard and recycled packaging board showed that the maximum measured thickness was about 150 μm. The depth limit to detect fluorescence was considered to depend on the apparent density of the paper and the light absorption character of the fibers.