Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-nr4z6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-30T17:44:32.512Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effects of Water on the Mechanical Properties of Paper and their Relationship to the Treatment of Paper

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

Timothy Vitale*
Affiliation:
Conservation Analytical Laboratory, Museum support Center, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. 20560
Get access

Abstract

Through a series of experiments the mechanical properties of paper are explored. Hydrogen bonding is fundamental to the performance of paper and its disruption results in distinctive stress-strain behavior. Stress-strain curves were generated from which tensile strength, Young's modulus, percent stretch, and work (tensile energy absorption) were obtained.

It was found that the contribution of the fiber to the mechanical properties of paper is primarily elastic. Fibers are many times stronger than paper. Only fibers which have been severely deteriorated show measurable changes in stress-strain behavior. Fiber deterioration results in characteristically different stress-strain behavior than that which results from disruption of interfiber bonding.

Water immersion results in the disruption of interfiber bonds in paper, leaving only 2-3% of dry tensile strength. Interfiber bonds make a profound contribution to the mechanical properties of the paper. Aqueous treatment is shown to be a radical treatment, altering the original dried-in properties of the sheet. The release of structural bonds and dried-in strains during wetting and the subsequent reformation of interfiber bonds during drying are shown to be independent of water purity, be it ultrapure water, tap water, or water containing washing aids such as Ca(OH)2, NaOH, CaCO3 or Na2CO3.

The effects of immersion in organic solvents was explored. Solvents have effects on mechanical properties which are approximately proportional to the degree of swelling caused by the solvent. Water, the liquid which caused the greatest swelling of the liquids evaluated, is shown to be the most disruptive liquid followed by methanol and acetone; toluene caused virtually no change.

To explore the behavior of interfiber bonds paper was taken through a solvent exchange process. A sample was immersed in water and then taken through separate ethanol and acetone immersions to toluene, and dried. The result was a sheet with little bonding and decreases in all mechanical properties. To explore the surface tension and capillary action effects of water, the solvent-exchanged sheet was re-immersed in water. Upon drying, interfiber bonding was reintroduced which resulted in the regain of mechanical properties lost.

A paradigm for the mechanical behavior of paper is developed. Fibers contribute elastic behavior and interfiber bonds are a principal source of plastic behavior.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arah, C.O., McNamara, D.K. Hand, H.M. and Mecklenburg, M.F. 1989. Techniques for Screening Adhesives for Structural Applications. J. Adhesion Technol. 3(4): 261–75.Google Scholar
Barrett, T.D. 1989. Early European Papers/Contemporary Conservation Papers: a Report on Research Undertaken from Fall 1984 Through Fall 1987. The Paper Conservator. 13: 4-108.Google Scholar
Barrow, W.J. 1974. Physical and Chemical Properties of Book Papers, 1507-1949. Permanence/Durability of the Book - VII. Richmond: W.J. Barrow Research Laboratory Inc. Google Scholar
Blackwell, J. & Marchessault, R.H. 1971. Investigation of the Structure of Cellulose and its Derivatives, Ch. XIII in Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives, editors Bikales, N.M. & Segal, L., Pt. IV, pp. 137, New York: Wiley-Interscience.Google Scholar
Broughton, G. & Wang, J.P. 1955. The Mechanical Properties of Paper (3). Tappi. 38(7): 412415.Google Scholar
Browning, B.L. 1969. Analysis of Paper. Marcel Dekker, New York.Google Scholar
Burgess, H.D. 1991. Investigation of the Effect of Alkali on Cellulosic Fibers, Part 1: Rag and Processed Wood Pulp Paper. In Paper and Textile: the Common Ground, Preprints of Scottish Society for Conservation & Restoration meeting Sept. 1991. 29-47.Google Scholar
Campbell, W.B. 1947. Physics of Water Removal. Pulp and Paper Mag. of Canada. 48(3): 103109 & 122.Google Scholar
Campbell, W.B. 1959. The Mechanism of Bonding. Tappi. 42(12): 9991001.Google Scholar
Casey, J.P. (ed). 1960. Pulp and Paper Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 2nd ed., 3 vol.s. New York: Interscience Publishers.Google Scholar
Casey, J.P.(ed). 1980. Pulp and Paper Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 3rd ed., 3 vols. New York: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
Caulfield, D.F. 1978. The Effects of Cellulose on the Structure of Water- 2 in Fiber-Water Interactions in Papermaking, Vol 1, ed. Fundamental Research Committee. London: The British Paper and Board Industry Federation.Google Scholar
Ebeling, K. & Retulainen, E. 1985. Physical Properties of paper: Mechanism of Deformation. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Fiber Science Technology, Hakone, Japan. August, 1985.Google Scholar
Ebeling, K. 1970. Distribution of Energy Consumption During Straining of Paper, Doctoral Dissertation, Parts I & II, Appelton, WI: Institute of Paper Chemistry.Google Scholar
Erhardt, D. von Endt, D., Hopwood, W. 1987. The Comparison of Accelerated Aging Conditions Through The Analysis of Extracts of Artificially Aged paper. In Preprints: AIC 1987 Annual Meeting. Washington,D.C.: American Institute for Conservation. 4355.Google Scholar
Erhardt, D. 1988. Paper Degradation: A comparison of Industrial and Archival Concerns. In Tappi Proceedings: 1988 Paper Preservation Symposium. Atlanta, GA: Tappi Press. 8390.Google Scholar
Grant, J.M., Morlier, O.W. & Scott, J.M. 1952. The Effects of Mechanical Processing of Cotton on the Physical Properties of Fibers. Textile Research Journal. 22(10): 682687.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Green, C. 1981. Dimensional Properties of Paper Structures. Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Dev. 20: 151158.Google Scholar
Green, C. 1983. Relationship of Dimensional stability to Rheology of Paper Structure. In Proceedings of the TAPPI 1983 International Paper Physics Conference. Atlanta GA: Tappi Press. 165171.Google Scholar
Green, C. 1987. Relationship of Dimensional Stability to Rheology of Paper Structure, International Paper Physics Conference 1983, Proceedings of TAPPI meeting Harwichport, MA. Sept. 1983. Reprinted: University Microfilms International Ann Arbor MI.Google Scholar
Haigler, C.H. 1985. The Functions and Biogenesis of Native Cellulose. In Cellulose Chemistry and its Applications. Ch. 2. eds Nevell, T.P. & Zeronian, S.H.. Chichester: Ellis Horwood Limited.Google Scholar
Hamby, Dame S. ed. 1965. The American Cotton Handbook. Vol 1. 3rd ed. New York: Interscience Publishers. 7476.Google Scholar
Hardacker, K.W. 1962. The Automatic Recording of the Load-Elongation Characteristic of Single Papermaking Fibers. Tappi. 45(3): 237246.Google Scholar
Hardacker, K.W. 1969. Cross-Sectional Area Measurement of Individual Wood Pulp Fibers By Lateral Compaction. Tappi. 52(9): 17421746.Google Scholar
Hardacker, K.W. & Brozinski, J.P. 1973. The Individual Fiber Properties of Commercial Pulps. Tappi. 56(4): 154–57.Google Scholar
Hearle, J.W.S. 1972. Mechanical Behavior of Nonwoven systems. In Theory and Design of Wood and Fiber Composite Materials. Ch. 13. ed. Jayne, B.A.. Syracuse University Press. 327351.Google Scholar
Hearle, J.W.S. 1985. Mechanical Properties of Cellulosic Textile Fibers in Cellulose Chemistry and its Applications. Ch. 19. eds. Nevell, T.P. & Zeronian, S.H.. Chichester: Ellis Horwood Limited. 480504.Google Scholar
Higgins, H.G. and Mckenzie, W.A. 1963. The Structure and Properties of Paper XIV. Effects of Drying on Cellulose Fibers and the Problem of Maintaining Pulp Strength. Appita. 16(6): 145164.Google Scholar
Htun, M. & de Ruvo, A. 1978. Relationship Between Stresses and Internal Stresses and the Mechanical Properties of Paper. In Fiber-Water Interactions In Paper Making. Vol 1. eds. Fundamental Research Committee, London: Technical Division The British Paper and Board Industry Federation. 477491.Google Scholar
Jayne, B.A. 1959. Mechanical Properties of Wood Fibers. Tappi. 42(6):461467.Google Scholar
Jentzen, C.A. 1960. Some Mechanical Properties of Wood Fibers in Tension. For. Prod. J. 10(6): 316322.Google Scholar
Jentzen, C.A. 1964. The.,Effects of Stress Applied During Drying on Some of the properties of Individual Fibers. Tappi. 47(7): 412418.Google Scholar
Kallmes, O.J. 1972. A Comprehensive View of the Structure of Paper. In Theory and Design of Wood and Fiber Composite Materials, ed Jayne, B. A., Ch. 6. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press. 157175.Google Scholar
Liang, C.Y. & Marchessault, R.H. 1959. Infrared Spectra of Crystalline Polysaccharides. I. Hydrogen Bonds in Native Cellulose. J. Polymer Sci. 37: 390. Designated: Liang (1959a)Google Scholar
Liang, C.Y. & Marchessault, R.H. 1959. Infrared Spectra of Crystalline Polysaccharides. II. Native Celluloses in the Region from 640 to 1700 cm-1 . J. Polymer Sci. 39: 269. Designated: Liang (1959b)Google Scholar
Lobben, T.H. 1976. The Tensile Stiffness of Paper (2) Activation Studied by Freeze Drying. Norsk Skogindustri. 30(3): 4348.Google Scholar
Marchessault, R.H. & Liang, C.Y. 1960. Infrared Spectra of Crystalline Polysaccharides III. Mercerized Cellulose. J. Polymer Sci. 43: 79.Google Scholar
Mackeprang, M. 1980. Nonwovens, in Mechanics of Flexible Fiber Assemblies. Tutorial Discussion II. eds. Hearle, J.W.S., Thwaites, J.J., J. Amirbayat. Netherlands: Sijthoff & Noordhoff. 543547.Google Scholar
Mark, R.E. 1967. Cell Wall Mechanics of Tracheids. New Haven: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Mecklenburg, M.F. 1988. The Effects of Atmospheric Moisture on the Mechanical Properties of Collagen Under Equilibrium Conditions. JAIC. Preprints 1988 AIC meeting New Orleans, Louisiana. 231244.Google Scholar
Merchant, M.V. 1957. A Study of Water-Swollen Cellulose Fibers Which have been Liquid-Exchanged and Dried from Hydrocarbons. Tappi. 40(9): 771781.Google Scholar
Meredith, R. 1956. Fiber Strength. In The Mechanical Properties of TextileFibers. Ch. VII. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing Company. 129150.Google Scholar
Morosoff, N. 1974. Never Dried Cotton Fibers. III. Crystallinity and Crystallite size. J. Appl. Poly Sci. 18: 1837–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morton, W.E. & Hearle, J.W.S. 1975. Physical Properties of Textile Fibers.London: Heinemann [for] The Textile Institute.Google Scholar
Nissan, A.H. 1976. H-Bond Dissociation in Hydrogen Bond Dominated Solids.Macromolecules. 9: 840850.Google Scholar
Nissan, A.H., 1977. Lectures on Fiber Science in Paper, Joint Textbook Committee of the Paper Industry, ed. Walker, W.C.. Atlanta, CA: TappiPress.Google Scholar
Nissan, A.H., 1978. Water Effects on Young's Modulus of H-Bonded Solids. In Fiber-Water Interactions in Papermaking. eds. Fundamental ResearchCommittee. Vol 1. London: Technical Division The British Paper and Board Industry Federation. 609640.Google Scholar
Nissan, A.H., Byrd, V.L., Batten, G.L. Jr & Ogden, R.W. 1985. Paper as a H-Bond Dominated Solid in the Elastic and Plastic Regimes. Tappi Journal. 68(9): 118124.Google Scholar
Page, D.H. 1966. The Axial Compression of Fibers -- A Newly Discovered Beating Action. Pulp and Paper Mag. of Canada 67(1):T2–T12.Google Scholar
Page, D.H. 1969. A Theory for the Tensile Strength of Paper. Tappi. 52(4): 674681.Google Scholar
Page, D.H., Seth, R.S., Jordan, B.D. Barbe, M.C. 1985. Curl Crimps, Kinksand Microcompressions in Pulp Fibers - their Origin, Measurement and Significance. In Papermaking Raw Materials, ed. Punton, , Vol 1, London: Mechanical Eng. Pub. Ltd. 7791.Google Scholar
Page, D.H. & Tydeman, P.A. 1962. A New Theory of the Shrinkage Structure and Properties of Paper. In The Formation and Structure of Paper. ed. Bolam, F.. Vol 1. London: Technical Section of the British Paper and Board Makers’ Association (Inc.). 397425.Google Scholar
Robertson, A.A. 1966. Measurement and Significance of the Water Retention Properties of Papermaking Fibers in Consolidation of the Paper Web. ed. Bolam, F. London: Technical Section of the British Paper and Board Makers’ Association. 90117.Google Scholar
Rowland, S. 1977. Cellulose: Pores, Internal Surface, and the WaterInterface. In Textile and Paper Chemistry and Technology, ACSSymposium Series 49. ed. Arthur, J.C. Wash. DC: American ChemicalSociety.Google Scholar
Rowland, S. 1979. Solid-Liquid Interactions: Inter- and Intracrystalline Reactions in Cellulose Fibers, Ch. 7. In Applied Fiber Science, Vol. 2. ed. Happey, F. London: Academic Press. 205237.Google Scholar
Schniewind, A.P. 1964. Fibers and Pulp Properties: Shear strength of Single Fiber Crossings. Tappi. 47(4): 244248.Google Scholar
Seth, R.S. & Page, D.H. 1981. The stress-strain Curve of Paper. In Role of Fundamental Research in Papermaking, Vol 1. ed. Brander, J.. London:Mechanical Engineering Publications Ltd. 421452.Google Scholar
Setterholm, V.C. & Chilson, W.A. 1965. Drying Restraint: Its Effect on the Tensile Properties of 15 Different Pulps. Tappi. 48(11): 634–40.Google Scholar
Stamm, A.J. 1964. Wood and Cellulose Science. New York: Ronald Press Co. Google Scholar
Sugarman, J. & Vitale, T.J. 1992. Observations on the Drying of Paper: PartI, Five Drying Methods and The Drying Process. JAIC: In press,Winter 1992.Google Scholar
, Tappi. 1989. Tappi Test Methods. Vol. 1. Atlanta, Ga: Tappi. T 208 om-84.Google Scholar
Treiber, E. 1975. Cellulosics. in Polymer Handbook, eds. Bandrup, J. & Immergut, E. H.. New York: Wiley & sons. V87121.Google Scholar
Van Den Akker, J.A. 1952. A Note on the Theory of Fiber-Fiber Bonding in Paper, The Influence on Paper Strength of Drying by Sublimation.Tappi. 35(1): 1315.Google Scholar
Vitale, T.J. 1988. Observations on the Theory, Use and Fabrication of The Fritted Class Bead Suction Disk Device. The Paper Conservator. 12: 4776.Google Scholar
Vitale, T.J. 1992. Effects of Drying on the Mechanical Properties of Paperand their Relationship to the Treatment of Paper. These Proceedings.Google Scholar
Webb, R.W. & Richardson, H.B. 1945. Comparative Significance of Alternative Cotton Fiber Length and Strength Measures in Relation to YarnStrength. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Productionand Marketing Administration. Google Scholar
Weiss, L.C., Orr, R.S., Redmann, J.J. & Grant, J.N. 1961. Moduli of Cotton Fibers and Yarns in Relation to X-ray Angles. Text. Res. J. 31(9):787793.Google Scholar
Zeronian, S.H. 1985. Intercrystalline Swelling of Cellulose, Ch. 5, in Cellulose Chemistry and its Applications, eds. Nevell, T.P. & Zeronian, S.H., Chichester: Ellis Horwood.Google Scholar
Zeronian, S.H. 1985. Intracrystalline Swelling of Cellulose, Ch. 6, in Cellulose Chemistry and its Applications, eds. Nevell, T.P. & Zeronian, S.H., Chichester: Ellis Horwood. Google Scholar
Zeronian, S.H. & Cabradilla, K.E. 1972. Action of Alkali Metal Hydroxides on Cotton. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 16: 113128.Google Scholar