Paper Sheets Treated by Polymeric Substances

Abstract

Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and vinyl acetate with butyl acrylate (VAc-BuA) copolymer latices are prepared by semicontinuous emulsion polymerization technique. The prepared latices are used in paper treatment using two different techniques. In the first technique, the latices are added during the paper sheet formation, but in the second one the untreated paper sheets are dipped in either the polymer or acetone polymer solution of different concentrations. The effect of different concentrations of the prepared emulsion latices by using different emulsifier and initiator concentrations on the paper sheet is studied. Increasing the initiator concentration in the preparation of PVAc latex decreases the retained polymer on the treated paper sheets. Also, increasing the butyl acrylate percentage in the copolymer latices improves the mechanical properties. The water uptake of the treated paper sheets is decreased by increasing the retained polymer. The effect of thermal treatment of the treated paper sheets is investigated.