Research on the Basic Performance and Fiber Appearance Characteristics of Grass Paper from Stellera chamaejasme in Different Origins on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

As one of the important carriers of Tibetan ethnic minority culture inheritance on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, the basic properties and fiber morphology of grass paper from Stellera chamaejasme have a significant impact on its paper quality. The basic properties of grass paper from Stellera chamaejasme from six different production areas on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau were systematically tested and analyzed according to relevant national standards, and the fiber morphology characteristics were experimentally observed. The results showed that the grammage, thickness, density, bulk, brightness, gloss, folding resistance, and tensile strength performance indicators of grass paper from Stellera chamaejasme on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau were generally good; the basic properties of grass paper from Stellera chamaejasme in different origins vary to some extent; and the fibers of grass paper from Stellera chamaejasme are mostly yellow in color, with slender fibers and small, uneven widths. The ends of the fibers are sharp, and the fibers are arranged in a staggered manner. There is a phenomenon of fiber aggregation, showing a clear flat band structure with a clear mesh structure. The surface has many rough horizontal knots, visible cell cavities, mixed cells, and obvious longitudinal wavy folds. Therefore, the basic performance of grass paper from Stellera chamaejasme is excellent, which is consistent with the historical description of the excellent quality of Tibetan paper, and is closely related to its fiber morphology characteristics.