Abstract
This study analyzes the effect of artificial aging on the mechanical deformational and optical properties of various paper samples, which allows us to evaluate their durability and suitability for long-term storage. The methods of accelerated aging, measuring the breaking length, specific resistance, elongation, and fracture strength, were used, and the optical characteristics were estimated by the R457 and CIE whiteness indices, as well as opacity. Mechanical measurements (breaking length, specific resistance, elongation, and fracture strength) revealed that bleaching reduces residual lignin and strengthens interfiber bonds, boosting pine pulp strength by up to 8%. Optical properties initially improve slightly, then increase sharply after the second bleaching cycle and stabilize, while opacity decreases, providing greater light transmittance. After accelerated aging, the following deterioration is observed: for bleached samples, R457 whiteness changes; and for unbleached samples, CIE whiteness and opacity increase. After aging, aspen pulps and kraft papers retained over 90% of their initial strength and whiteness, whereas untreated and office papers lost up to 20–25%. These findings identify that aspen-based and kraft papers demonstrate better mechanical deformational and optical properties, which makes it possible to predict the operational characteristics of paper depending on the processing and aging methods used.