Effect Of Paper Ash Content On Paper Making

Ash is used in two ways in the paper-making industry. In its first sense, paper ash content refers to the measure of the inorganic filler or mineral or carbon content of the paper. Paper fillers are pigment powders, developed from natural minerals. They are used in papermaking as they are economical and improve paper’s optical properties and printability. The common fillers include calcium carbonate, china clay, and titanium dioxide. 

The second type represents the leftover material after the paper is incinerated at a specific temperature and time, using an ash incinerator machine. 

Today, the papermaking mills are increasingly concerned about the rise of ash content in the paper. In the following section, you are going to read about the possible reasons for this concern.

Effect Of Paper Ash Content On Paper Making

1. Paper Ash Content Affects Paper Thickness

Paper is measured in Grams Per Square Meter (or GSM). the higher the GSM is, the thicker and heavier the paper will be. For different applications, there are different paper thicknesses. 

The filler has a considerable impact on the thickness of the paper. With the rise in the ash content of the paper, there is a decrease in the paper thickness. This is because the density of the filler is greater than the fiber.

2. Affects Folding Endurance Of Paper

The folding endurance of paper refers to the durability of the paper when it is constantly folded under load. It determines the number of times a paper can be folded before it finally breaks. Decreasing folding endurance indicates the dying quality or deterioration of the paper. 

Folding endurance is improved by increased paper fiber refining. Hence, with an increase in the degree of fiber beating, the folding endurance of the paper is increased. Non-fibrous additions like fillers or coatings to the finished paper surface reduce the folding endurance. Hence, when the total paper ash content is high, the fiber content decreases, and so is the paper folding endurance. 

3. Paper Smoothness

Paper smoothness refers to the measure of surface irregularities of the paper. The smoothness property of the paper influences several end-uses, for example, the appearance of printing. Improved smoothness of paper leaves fewer chances of abrasion when the paper passes through the printing machine. It also reduces printing jams, boosts productivity, and also enhances the absorption and adhesion of the toner on the paper. 

The presence of calcium carbonate, as well as clay in the paper ash content, improves the smoothness of the paper. Hence, it is another major concern of the papermills. 

Conclusion 

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