Wet tensile strength development of PAE wet-strengthened NBSK handsheets by AKD internal sizing

Abstract

Polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) is used in papermaking to increase the paper’s wet strength. High levels of PAE can make repulping of paper more difficult. PAE deposits can also impair paper machine performance by plugging the paper machine felts. The results of a preceding study indicated that the wet strength of paper containing a moderate amount of PAE (added amount 0.3 wt%) can be increased by utilizing internal alkylketene dimer (AKD) sizing. In the present study, the effects of an added amount of PAE and AKD on the wet strength of handsheets made from Nordic bleached softwood pulp (NBSK) were examined. The wet strength was measured after soaking the sheets in ion-exchanged water for up to 1 month. The improving effect of AKD sizing on the wet strength was long-lasting and it was apparent especially with a low and moderate added amount of PAE (0.15 and 0.45 wt%) resulting in higher wet strength than the highest added amount of PAE (1.35 wt%) alone. No clear sign of worsened repulpability was observed at low to moderate treatment levels. The results suggest that use of small or moderate amounts of PAE with AKD can be a viable option for paper mills facing problems related to the high usage of PAE.