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Fabrication of cross-linked starch-based nanofibrous mat with optimized diameter, TAPPI JOURNAL June 2019

ABSTRACT: The design and synthesis of natural and synthetic polymer blends have received recent and wide attention. These new biomaterials exhibit progress in properties required in the field of medicine and healthcare. Herein, the aim of present study is to fabricate starch (ST)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) electrospun nanofibrous mat with a smooth and uniform morphology, lowest fiber diameter (below 100 nm) and the highest possible starch content. Starch itself is poor in process-ability, and its electrospinning could be quite a challenging process. To address this, we carried out the response surface methodology (RSM) technique for modelling the electrospinning process. In order to have ST/PAA nanofibers with the finest possible diameter, optimized processing parameters (applied volt-age, nozzle-collector distance and feed rate) obtained from RSM technique were applied. ST/PAA electrospun nano-fibers with an average diameter of 74±13 nm were successfully achieved via the electrospinning method for the first time. The structure, preparation and properties of the nanofibrous structure were discussed. Results indicated that drug loaded ST/PAA blend nanofibrous structure has a great potential to be used in controlled drug release systems.

A study of the softness of household tissues using a tissue softness analyzer and hand-felt panels, TAPPI Journal March 2019

ABSTRACT: This study applied the reciprocal matrix approach to deduce the correlation between hand-felt (HF) and tissue softness analyzer (TSA) instrumental measurements of tissue softness. The research was conducted in three phases, which are discussed separately. In the phase one study, results indicated that systematic collection of samples and preparation of test specimens were the foundation of successful tests. TSA-HF and tensile strength exhibited a strong negative correlation. In the future, same-unit physical properties can provide a basis for discuss-ing the commonality and complementary natures of hand-felt and TSA softness measurements. In phase two, through the reciprocal matrix approach, subjective softness assessments performed by humans were reliably quan-tified. The quantified values were further applied to a statistical analysis using the t-test to distinguish and train pro-fessional panelists. In phase three of HF panel test results, all independent panels were compared to one another under a uniform scale established by four standard samples. The calibrated HF panel values were incorporated with TSA-HF results to establish technical curves between the softness and tensile strength, which were helpful for onsite workers to carry out process controls.

Automation Update: What Does the Future Hold?, Paper360º March/April 2019

Automation Update: What Does the Future Hold?, Paper360º March/April 2019

Evaluation of novel drum chipper technology: pilot-scale production of short wood chips, TAPPI Journal October 2019

ABSTRACT: Impregnation of wood chips with acidic pulping liquors is improved when using short chip lengths. If the average wood chip length is too short, conventional chipping technology will generate excess small material, such as pin chips and fines. The possibility of using newly developed drum chipping technology to produce short-length wood chips was evaluated with a pilot drum chipper operating at different drum velocities and in-feed angles. With a drum velocity of 30 m/s, the average wood chip lengths and the combined fractions of pin chips and fines were 24 mm and 3.3%, 22 mm and 4.2%, and 17 mm and 8.5%. The highest fractions of total accept chips (large and small accepts), 89% to 90% without screening, were observed for drum velocities of 30•34 m/s and average wood chips lengths of 21•22 mm. The results indicate the potential of drum chipping technology for producing short wood chips with relatively high fractions of accept chips and tolerable fractions of pin chips and fines.

Effects of different ammonium lignosulfonate contents on the crystallization, rheological behaviors, and thermal and mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer/polypropylene/ammonium lignosulfonate composites, TAPPI Journal January 2020

ABSTRACT: Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and polypropylene (PP) based on reactive blending, has an excellent processing performance and characteristics and a wide range of applications. However, there are currently no reports in the literature regarding the usage of TPE in making composite boards. In this paper, EPDM, PP, and ammonium lignosulfonate (AL) were used as the raw materials, polyethylene wax was used as the plasticizer, and a dicumyl peroxide vulcanization system with dynamic vulcanization was used to make a new kind of composite material. This research studied the influences of the AL contents on the crystallization behaviors, rheological properties, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of the composites. The results showed that the AL content had a noticeable impact on the performance of the composite board. Accordingly, this kind of composite material can be used as an elastomer material for the core layer of laminated flooring.

Papermakers’ Top Issues on Docket for PaperCon 2020, Paper360º March/April 2020

Papermakers’ Top Issues on Docket for PaperCon 2020, Paper360º March/April 2020

Nanocellulose•cationic starch• colloidal silica systems for papermaking: Effects on process and paper properties, TAPPI Journal October 2022

ABSTRACT: Laboratory tests were conducted to better understand effects on the papermaking process and handsheets when recycled copy paper furnish was treated with combinations of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), cationic starch, colloidal silica, and cationic retention aid (cPAM; cationic polyacrylamide). Dosage-response experiments helped to define conditions leading to favorable processing outcomes, including dewatering rates and the efficiency of fine-particle retention during papermaking. Effects were found to depend on the addition amounts of cationic starch and colloidal silica added to the system. It was shown that the presence of a polymer additive such as cationic starch was essential in order to achieve large strength gains with simultaneous usage of NFC.

Editorial: New coating grades require new tests: Barrier performance inside the package, TAPPI Journal November 2024

The TAPPI Journal special Coating issue is an annual issue that focuses on paper coating and coated papers. It is drawn from presentations at TAPPICon and from other submissions on the topic of paper coating. The TAPPICon 2024 Coating track was rich in high-quality technical content. In fact, the papers were of such significance that Coating members of the TAPPI Journal Editorial Board, which include me, Gregg Reed, and Gregory Welsch, decided that a second paper coating-related special issue would be appropriate for the TAPPI Journal editorial calendar. In addition to the current issue on Barrier Coating Testing, there will be another issue on Coating Fundamentals in early 2025.

Test method and coating composition impact on measured moisture vapor transmission rate for waterborne coatings on paper, TAPPI Journal November 2024

ABSTRACT: Moisture vapor barrier is one of the necessary performance attributes for paper packages. Two methods are typically employed to assess the moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR): the gravimetric cup method (ASTM E96) and the MOCON method (ASTM F1249). While those tests have been compared for free standing polymeric films, less is understood about their application in coated paper. Our results show that, despite a general agreement between the two methods, discrepancies exist where test protocols and material properties of coated paper impact the MVTR measurement. The measurement discrepancies can be explained by differences in local moisture concentration. Our study provides new insights on moisture vapor barrier assessment of waterborne coatings on paper and implications for achieving paper packages with improved barrier performance.

Europap Tezol’s New Vacuum System: Peace of Mind and Major Savings, Tissue360º Spring/Summer 2024