Filler Composition for Papermaking Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paper fillers compromise paper strength while improving other properties, limiting the use of higher filler contents without sacrificing strength and runability in papermaking processes.
Innovation Solution
A filler composition combining cationic inorganic and organic compounds with anionic polysaccharides, specifically designed to enhance tensile strength and other mechanical properties of paper, allowing for increased filler loading without compromising paper quality, and applicable in papermaking and other ceramic and composite applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional fillers are used to reduce paper costs and improve surface properties, then paper cost is reduced and surface smoothness is improved, but paper strength properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple filler types (calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc) with specific polymer coatings (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyacrylic acid) to create a filled paper composition that achieves both cost reduction and strength improvement. The composite nature of the filler system allows simultaneous optimization of economic and mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by carefully controlling the particle size distribution (D10, D50, D90 values), chemical composition ratios, and coating characteristics of the filler system. These parameter optimizations enable the filler to enhance paper strength while maintaining cost-effectiveness and surface quality.
2Quantity of substance
If higher filler content is used to reduce costs, then paper cost is reduced, but paper machine runability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes runability by controlling specific parameters including filler particle size distribution, surface charge characteristics, and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity balance. These parameter adjustments ensure smooth paper machine operation even at high filler contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer coatings on filler particles act as intermediaries that improve the interaction between filler and paper matrix, enhancing drainage and retention characteristics. This mediator effect maintains paper machine runability while allowing high filler loading.
3Shape
If conventional fillers are used to improve surface smoothness and printability, then surface smoothness is improved, but paper strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite fillers with specific surface coatings that simultaneously provide smooth surface characteristics and strong bonding capability. The combination of inorganic filler particles with organic polymer coatings creates a dual-function system for surface quality and strength enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the surface characteristics of filler particles through selective coating, creating regions with different properties: smooth surfaces for printability and chemically active surfaces for strength bonding. This localized property differentiation resolves the contradiction between surface quality and mechanical strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The filler composition significantly enhances paper strength, maintains or improves tensile properties, and ensures better compatibility with drainage and retention aids, enabling higher filler content and energy savings in paper production while maintaining smoothness and printability.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a filler, one or more cationic inorganic compounds, and one or more cationic organic compounds
Implementation Method 2
comprising a filler, one or more cationic inorganic compounds, and one or more cationic organic compounds, and an anionic polysaccharide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a filler composition comprising a) a filler, b) a cationic organic compound which is a cationic organic polymer, and c) an anionic polysaccharide, wherein the filler is present in an amount of at least about 1 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, the cationic organic compound is present in an amount of up to about 30 kg/ton, based on the weight of filler, and the anionic polysaccharide has a degree of substitution of net anionic groups of up to about 0.65. The invention further relates to a method of preparing a filler composition comprising mixing a), b) and c) as defined above. The invention further relates to a filler composition obtainable by the method, use of a filler composition as an additive to an aqueous cellulosic suspension in a papermaking process, and a process of producing paper comprising adding the filler composition to an aqueous cellulosic suspension. The invention further relates to paper obtainable by the process and paper comprising the filler composition.