Characterization of Base Paper Properties on Coating Penetration

The influence of base paper properties and fiber type on coating penetration was studied in terms of characterization of coating holdout using two types of hand sheets as the base paper which were prepared from thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and hardwood bleached kraft pulp(KP) sized internally with alkyl ketene dimmer (AKD). Laboratory rod draw down coater was used for surface sizing and coating application. Characterization of coating penetration was done by measuring the roughness of the backside of coating layer. The backside of the coating was exposed by dissolving the fibers in a solution of cupriethylenedimine (CEO). Data show that internal sizing of base paper is effective and surface sizing is more effective to prevent coating penetration. Comparing between the two types of base papers, backside roughness of coating layer of TMP sheet is much larger and sizing is more effective to reduce coating penetration than those of KP sheet. From the result of water absorption and sizing degree after surface sizing, it seems that internal sizing slows down molecular diffusion much more than capillary penetration, but surface sizing reduces the capillary penetration. Furthermore, predominant mechanism of water into paper of TMP sheet seems to be capillary penetration, but it is molecular diffusion in the case of KP sheet.