Influence of Organic Pigment Blending on Surface and Optical Properties of Coated Paper

Abstract

The effects of several factors including organic pigment blending and calending conditions on the surface and optical properties of coated paper were investigated. When clay and calcium carbonate are blended in the ratio of 7 to 3, highest smoothness and relative sediment volume were obtained. When organic pigments were added to the mixture of clay and calcium carbonate, the relative sediment volume did not changed significantly. However, when organic pigments were added to calcium carbonate, sheet gloss and smoothness were improved, and showed the better results than that obtained from the mixture of organic pigment and clay. When organic pigment is blended with clay, the particles of organic pigment are buried in the packing structure of coating layer. However, the particle shape of calcium carbonate is quite different from that of clay, and the aspect ratio of calcium carbonate is similar to that of organic pigment. Thus organic pigment particles are not buried and improved effectively the physical characteristics of coating layer. When the hollow sphere pigment was blended, opacity and sheet gloss were improved significantly. Even though the coating color applied was reduced, the similar level of opacity was maintained. Also, if particle size and void volume are increased, gloss is improved, because coating layer is easily transformed in calendering. Therefore, even though lower pressure was applied during calendering, the smoothness of surface of coating layer was improved, and the decrease of void volume in coating layer was reduced, and the quality of coated sheet can be improved.