Pulping and Refining
Pulping and refining are two papermaking processes that affect the mechanical properties of the finished product. This video gives an overview of the topic.
The Three P’s: Porosity, Permeability and Permeance
All space is space in which to create. Eric Maisel I discovered an invisible empire of the air. Lee de Forest Think about a sheet of paper and you might … Continue reading
Size it Up – Internal Sizing Chemicals
Why Use Sizing? Sizings used in papermaking reduce water absorption into the fibers. Internal sizing treatments act on the outside of fibers. Consider paper towels, the main use being to wipe up spills and messes. … Continue reading
Paper – Every Fiber of Its Being
Paper is a composite of fiber and air. Cellulosic fibers come from plants, either from seed hairs, stems (bast), and/or from leaves. In industrial papermaking, cellulose comes primarily from wood, both hardwoods and … Continue reading
Good Form, Bad Form: Ground Glass and Curdled Milk
Structural properties of paper describe how various components are arranged within a sheet of paper. Global properties are assessed independent of local variations in paper composition. These include the structural properties … Continue reading
Grammage and Basis Weight
I usually reserve Friday’s post for things I’m learning in class but school is officially out for the summer. Summer Fridays will be a bit of a grab bag – there’s … Continue reading
The Fiber Wire 