Opacity, paper

Post-printing nip capillary sorption of ink and ink vehicles is discussed using Lucas-Washburn theory and the influence of the rate of capillary sorption on ink holdout, show through and set off are discussed. Finally, the long-term migration of oil vehicles over fibre surfaces by spreading with the attendant loss of paper opacity is described. 

Fibrillated Fibers. Instead of extmding cellulose acetate into a continuous fiber, discrete, pulp-like agglomerates of fine, individual fibrils, called fibrets or fibrids, can be produced by rapid precipitation with an attenuating coagulation fluid. The individual fibers have diameters of 0.5 to 5.0 ]lni and lengths of 20 to 200 )Jm (Fig. 10). The surface area of the fibrillated fibers are about 20 m /g, about 60—80 times that of standard textile fibers. These materials are very hydrophilic an 85% moisture content has the appearance of a dry soHd (72). One appHcation is in a paper stmcture where their fine fiber size and branched stmcture allows mechanical entrapment of small particles. The fibers can also be loaded with particles to enhance some desired performance such as enhanced opacity for papers. When filled with metal particles it was suggested they be used as a radar screen in aerial warfare (73). 

OPP producers have expanded the core, creating a foam stmcture with lower density, greater opacity, and a stiffer, more paper-Hke feel. Vacuum metallisation increases opacity and water-vapor barrier properties. 

Refining and Fractionation. These processes are used to alter and select cellulose properties so the final sheet has the desired properties (51). Properties of recycled fibers differ from those of fibers prepared directly from wood. For example, recovered chemical fibers have lower freeness, an apparent viscosity leading to different water drainage characteristics on paper machines. Recovered fibers also have iacreased apparent density, lower sheet strength, iacreased sheet opacity, inferior fiber—fiber bonding properties, lower fiber sweUiag, lower fiber flexibiUty, lower water reteatioa, reduced fiber fibrillatioa, and much lower internal fiber delamination. 

Surface Sizing. Surface sizing is generally used for modification of other properties of paper or paperboard such as printabiHty, smoothness, porosity, coefficient of friction, opacity, surface strength, anti-linting or coating holdout. Anionic starch is perhaps the most common additive or co-additive used for surface sizing. 

Following wet processing, fine particle size kaolins may be calcined, ie, heat treated at about 1000°C. This treatment converts the kaolin to an amorphous pigment of significantly higher brightness and opacity (8). Properties of the various types of kaolins used in paper are shown in Table 2. 

Fig. 2. (a) Brightness improvement obtained by the use of kaolin as a filler in paper and (b), opacity improvement obtained as pulp fibers are replaced with various kaolins. In both cases, A represents fine-particle calcined clay B, high brightness No. 1 kaolin C, coarse-particle water-washed kaolin and D,... 

Catalysis is utilized in the majority of new paper filter cure ovens as part of the oven recirculation/bumer system which is designed to keep the oven interior free of condensed resins and provide an exhaust without opacity or odor. The apphcation of catalytic fume control to the exhaust of paper-impregnation dryers permits a net fuel saving by oxidation of easy-to-bum methyl or isopropyl alcohol, or both, at adequate concentrations to achieve a 110—220°C exotherm. 

---