How to make cardboard from paper

How Cardboard is Made from Paper

Cardboard is a type of material that is produced using paper mash. It's often made out of different layers of paper, commonly referred to as "corrugated" or "corrugated cardboard," which reinforces its strength and durability. Here is a general overview of how cardboard is made from paper:

1. Collect and Sort Paper: The first step involves collecting various types of waste paper. This can include used cardboard, newspapers, magazines, office paper, and other paper products.
2. Pulping: The collected paper is then mixed with water to create a slurry or pulp. This mixture is agitated and separated into fibers through mechanical or chemical processes. This process removes any inks, dyes, and contaminants from the paper.
3. Cleaning and Refining: The pulp is further cleaned and refined to improve its quality. This step involves removing remaining impurities and breaking down the pulp into smaller fibers to create a more uniform mixture.
4. Formation of Cardboard: In the case of corrugated cardboard, there are typically three layers: an outer layer, an inner layer, and a fluted (ridged) layer in between. The outer and inner layers are made from flat paper, while the fluted layer is formed by passing the pulp through corrugating machines, which give it its distinctive wavy shape.
5. Gluing: The fluted layer is glued between the outer and inner layers. This adhesive can be made from various substances like starch-based pastes or synthetic adhesives. The glue holds the layers together and reinforces the cardboard's structure.
6. Pressing and Drying: The layers are pressed together to ensure the glue is evenly distributed and to remove excess moisture. The formed cardboard is then dried to the desired moisture content.
7. Cutting and Shaping: Once the cardboard is dry and sturdy, it's cut into sheets of the desired size. These sheets can then be used for various purposes, such as packaging materials, boxes, or other cardboard products.
8. Finishing: Depending on the intended use, the cardboard may undergo additional treatments. For instance, it can be coated or laminated to improve its water resistance, strength, or appearance.
9. Recycling: Cardboard is highly recyclable. Used cardboard can be collected, pulped again, and the recycling process can be repeated to create new cardboard products.

It's important to note that making cardboard from paper involves industrial-scale processes and specialized machinery. Attempting to make cardboard from scratch at home might not yield the same quality or durability as commercially produced cardboard due to the complexities of the process.