A Study on Unevenness of Paper Surface Properties - Effect of Hot Calendering on Surface Roughening -

Surface roughening which is occurred by interaction between base paper and water in coating color deteriorates surface properties of coated paper. In this study, the effect of calendering variables on surface roughening and the relationship between hot calendering and water penetration depth were investigated. BCTMP handsheets were calendered at the various conditions of temperature and linear load, and its PPS roughness was measured before and after moistening to evaluate surface roughening. To determine water penetration depth, thickness was measured from the cross sectional images of sheet which were obtained using CLSM technique. High pressure calendering was beneficial to reduce surface roughness before coating but its smoothening effect was mostly lost by contact with water. On the contrary, sheet calendered at the highest temperature showed the lowest roughening. High temperature calendering allowed the smallest penetration of water into fiber network because of sufficient deformation and densification in top side of z-direction of sheet. Consequently, hot calendering could be the effective way to reduce surface roughening and unevenness of paper surface.