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How did our Rough Scientists make paper?
We made our
paper from kapok fiber and milkweed. The fibers were first separated
from the rest of the plant. They were then beaten into a pulp and
soaked in potassium hydroxide, which was made by combining lime
and potassium
carbonate.
Boiling the
cellulose in the potassium hydroxide broke down the fibers allowing
them to interweave to make paper. Once the fibers had been washed
they were then sized (coated) with sticky cherry liquid. This would
prevent the ink from soaking in like blotting paper.
We made a paper
press to squeeze out excess moisture before leaving the sheet to
dry in the sun. We ended up with a strong piece of pale paper.
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