Pronunciation: [wˈʊd pˈʌlp] (IPA) 
The word "wood pulp" is spelled /wʊd pʌlp/. The first part of the word, "wood", is pronounced with a short "u" sound ([wʊd]), while the second part, "pulp", has a "uh" vowel sound ([pʌlp]). It is important to get the spelling of this word correct as it is commonly used in the paper and pulp industry. Wood pulp is a crucial raw material for producing various paper products, including printing paper, tissue paper, and cardboard boxes.
Wood pulp is a term referring to a fibrous material derived from wood sources through a process called pulping. It is commonly used in the production of paper, cardboard, and various fiber-based products. The primary method for extracting wood pulp involves chemically or mechanically breaking down the lignocellulosic fibers found in trees.
Chemical pulping involves the use of chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide to dissolve and remove lignin, a strong and complex polymer that binds fibers together in wood. This process results in the production of high-quality wood pulp known as dissolving pulp, which is mainly utilized in the production of viscose rayon, cellophane, and other industrial applications. Conversely, mechanical pulping relies on mechanical forces to separate the fibers, thereby requiring less chemical input. However, this method produces lower-quality wood pulp, suitable mostly for newsprint and other lower-grade paper products.
Wood pulp can be further processed by bleaching, refining, and mixing with additives to enhance its characteristics for specific applications. It is then combined with water and other components to form a suspension known as pulp slurry. This slurry is subsequently used as a base material for the production of paper and paperboard by methods such as papermaking or cardboard manufacturing.
Overall, wood pulp serves as a vital raw material in the paper and packaging industries, playing a fundamental role in the creation of numerous essential products used in everyday life.
Wood-fiber reduced to a pulp and compressed into sheets, employed in the manufacture of paper; it is used also in the making of extemporaneous splints, a sheet of the substance being moistened and moulded to the limb.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "wood pulp" has a relatively straightforward etymology.
The term "wood" comes from the Middle English word "wode" which is derived from the Old English word "wudu". It refers to the hard, fibrous material that forms the trunk, branches, and roots of trees and shrubs.
The term "pulp" is derived from the Middle English word "pulpe", which has roots in the Latin word "pulpa", meaning fleshy or succulent part of a fruit. In this context, "pulp" refers to the soft, juicy part of a plant.
When combined, the term "wood pulp" refers to the soft, fibrous material obtained by mechanically or chemically reducing wood to its primary fibers. This material is commonly used in the production of paper and various other products.
