Comparison of the usage of fines and PCC pigment in handsheets

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the influences of fines and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) pigment and their contents on the fundamental properties of handsheets and also evaluate these results in terms of mechanical and chemical data. Design/methodology/approach A design research approach has been based on the production of various laboratory handmade papers. Any of the paper additives were not added to the paper web to compare the results of the effects of fines and PCC pigment in a literal way. For this purpose, the target grammages of handsheets and the production variables such as pulp consistency, temperature and other variables of formation, pressing and drying processes were kept constant and studied meticulously. Findings This study is confirmed that with the addition of fines to the pulp of the control handsheets, an increase of up to 125% has been observed in the tensile index values, while a decrease of up to 30% has been observed with the addition of PCC pigment as filler. The tensile results have been changed depending on the pulp content and hence chemical bonds formed in the paper web. These mechanical changes have been explained by correlating with the data of FT-IR spectrums. Especially, the variations have been seen at 950–1150 cm−1, which referring to C-OH and C-O-C stretching vibrations. Originality/value The originality of this work is based on understanding and comparing the effects of fines and the effect of PCC pigment as a paper filler on the structural and chemical characteristics of laboratory-made handsheets.