JST&M 4(2023), 30 - 35

DOI: 10.57131/jstm.2023.4.5

Professional paper

EFFECT OF ADDITION OF WET-STRENGTH AGENT ON TENSILE STRENGTH OF

PAPER

Edina Husić1, Šefkija Botonjić

1
Natron-Hayat d.o.o. Maglaj,

ABSTRACT

Wet-strength paper production is of great significance due to its prominent importance in everyday
consumer activities. Recently, market demands for paper with specific properties and purposes are
increasing. Production of these paper types is very challenging for the manufacturer since they have to
meet very specific demands. Wet-strength paper products include bags that come in contact with
moisture and wet products, hygienic and kitchen towels, paper towels, packaging products (packages
for liquids, aseptic dishes, and a variety of packaging for food), and other special purposes items (tea
bags, coffee filters, paper money, etc.) Throughout this research, the focus was on the effects a wet-
strength agent has on the tensile strength of paper. The wet strength property of paper is the ratio
between the strength of paper in the wet and dry state. The strength in the dry state comes from the
hydrogen bonds present in natural cellulose, while the strength of paper in the wet state requires
waterproof (covalent) bonds created by the use of a wet strength agent. The wet strength agent used is
a cationic PAE resin. The aim of the work is to determine the optimal amount of agent needed in relation
to the required value of the tensile strength property of the paper. The investigation of these influences
was carried out on Semi Extensible Standard Kraft type of paper in Natron-Hayat.
Keywords: paper, wet strength additive, tensile strength
Corresponding Author:
Edina Husić
Natron-Hayat d.o.o., Lijesnica/Maglaj, B&H
Tel: +387 32 601 180
E-mail address: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION act either as protective agents by preventing

Wet strength paper is paper that holds a fiber swelling and protecting existing bonds
significant portion of its original strength or form new and waterproof bonds through
(strength in the dry state) after being reinforcement mechanisms. In order for the
completely saturated with an aqueous paper to be used for the production of bags,
solution. In order to produce this type of paper, it needs to have extremely good physical
which needs to maintain its strength after and mechanical properties, both in the
being made and in a wet state, chemical longitudinal and transverse directions [1].
agents are used. Wet-strength chemicals such The need for such high mechanical
as UF-urea formaldehyde, MF-melamine performance of paper is based on the fact
formaldehyde, PAE-polyaminoamide that modern technologies for filling bags
epichlorohydrin, and others are used to and transporting them require high
develop and maintain the mechanical durability of bags [2]. On the other hand, one
strength of paper when the paper comes in must always look at the financial viability of
contact with moisture. According to the the product, which means that the goal is to
chemical composition of these agents, they produce the best possible product with as

30 Journal of Sustainable Technology and Materials

 Husić et al. Effect of addition of wet-strength agent on tensile strength of paper

little cost as possible. Thus, in order to be the wet state requires waterproof (covalent)
competitive in the market, some other bonds. Naturally, cellulose contains few
subtypes of sack kraft paper have been covalent bonds, so additives are needed that
developed from the basic offer of sack kraft will affect the formation of these bonds.
paper, which has its advantages in the Polymer resins are most commonly used to
production of bags. The wet strength increase the strength of wet paper. There are
property of paper is the ratio between the two different Wet strength mechanisms,
strength of paper in the wet and dry state. the protection mechanism, and the
Unlike the strength in the dry state, which amplification mechanism, which are
comes from the hydrogen bonds present in shown in Figure 1 [3].
natural cellulose, the strength of paper in

Figure 1. Representation of wet strength mechanism of action: a) protection mechanism, b)

amplification mechanism [3]

The protection mechanism involves the In the paper, fibers are joined by Van der
diffusion of the wet-strength polymer to the Waals bonding forces and hydrogen bonds
fiber surface where it binds through and that give the paper mechanical and
around the fibers. In this way, they prevent essential structural strength. Figure 2
swelling of the fibers and help preserve shows the hydrogen bonds within and
covalent bonds when the paper is exposed to between cellulose fibers [5].
water. In contrast, the reinforcement
mechanism means that new bonds are
formed between the wet-strength polymers
and the fibers. Since the dry strength of
different types of paper varies according to
different parameters such as weight,
density, and forces between the fibers, it is
difficult to determine the strength in the wet
state. Therefore, the wet strength property of
paper is usually represented by the ratio
between the strength of the paper in the wet
and dry state. When paper comes in contact
with water, water molecules increase the
distance between individual cellulose fibers, Figure 2. Cellulose fiber with hydrogen
so that much of the strength is lost. The bonds (dashed lines) within and between
paper strength is then only about 10% of the cellulose molecules [6]
dry strength. This percentage is usually
considered to represent the friction force Binding affects both the development of the
between the residual pulp forces [4]. structure and the final structure of the
paper. The bond between the fibers can be
1.1 The Basic Mechanism of Fiber Strength viewed as a zone in which two fibers are so
The strength of the paper depends on the close to each other that molecular
strength of the bond between the individual entanglement or chemical bonding can
fibers, the fiber distribution, and the bond occur. Bonds hold the fibers together and
(formation). therefore contribute to the internal cohesion
of the paper [6].

Journal of Sustainable Technology and Materials 31

 Husić et al. Effect of addition of wet-strength agent on tensile strength of paper

When paper is in contact with water, the  The standard method of Natron-Hayat
hydrogen bonds between the fibers get NH F 6: Determination of tensile
broken. In this way, the paper loses its properties, constant load speed method
mechanical strength. The strength of (ISO 1924-1), and constant stretch speed
normal paper after wetting is small, usually method (ISO 1924-2 and ISO 1924-3) [8,9].
4-10% of its strength when dry. Therefore,  The standard method of Natron-Hayat
additives can be added to cellulose, NH F 21: Determination of tensile
chemicals for wet strength, which protect strength after immersion in water [10].
the bonds between the fibers and increase The addition of chemicals to the system was
the strength of wet paper. The most done gradually from a larger amount to a
commonly used agents are polymer resins smaller one in order to find the optimal
[7]. consumption for the required percentage of
wet paper strength. The amount of chemical
2. ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF "WET dosed at the pump, at the time of completion
STRENGTH" CHEMICALS ON THE of the reel of paper was monitored, after that
PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL the paper on the given reel was analyzed
PROPERTIES OF PAPER according to the previously mentioned
The influence of Wet strength chemicals on methods, and from the obtained data a
the mechanical properties of paper was comparison of the mentioned parameters
investigated and the data of 33 reels (460 was made.
tons of paper) to which the chemical was Figure 3 shows the amount of added
added were processed. An individual chemical and the direct impact on the
analysis of each reel of paper was property of wet strength paper (md direction
performed. Analysis of NH Wet Strength of measurement) on the analyzed paper
semi-extensible paper was performed in the reels.
internal laboratory at Natron-Hayat in
Maglaj using the following methods:
31.83

35
30.3

29.53

29.52
29.8

29.07

28.97
29.3
28.63

290
27.67

27.66
27.27

26.94
26.93

26.83

26.38
26.33

26.21
26.07

25.99
26.6

30
25.77

26.1

25.43

25.39
Flow of chemical, dm3/h

24.86

24.77

24.29
24.11
24.6

270
23.67
24.1

Wet strength-md, %
22.99

21.39

25
20.47

250
250
20
230
230
15
210 220 220
210 210
190 10
200
190
170 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 5

150 0

Reel
Flow of chemical Wet Strength-md, %
dm3/h

Figure 3. Effect of the addition of wet strength chemicals - md paper direction

32 Journal of Sustainable Technology and Materials

 Husić et al. Effect of addition of wet-strength agent on tensile strength of paper

45

38.2
Flow of the chemical, dm3/h 290

35.87

35.67
35.43

34.57
40

34.3

33.23
32.87
32.43

32.07
31.87
32.4

31.11
30.53
270

30.23
30.03
29.87

29.83

Wet strength-cd, %
35

29.13

29.11

28.25
29.1

28.01
27.93

27.82
30
27.73

27.73
28.5

26.98

26.77
26.54
26.29

25.79

24.87
250 30
250
230 25

230 20
210 220 220
210 210 15
190 200
10
190
170 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 5

150 0

Reel
Flow of chemical Wet strength-cd, %
dm3/h

Figure 4. Effect of the addition of wet strength chemicals - cd paper direction

Figure 4 shows the amount of added higher values of the wet strength cd and md
chemicals and the direct impact on the properties were obtained on the following
property of wet strength paper (cd direction of reels. In order to find the optimal ratio of the
measurement) on the analyzed paper reels. amount of added agent and the required value
Figures 3 and 4 show how much of an effect of wet strength, the amount was reduced to
adding the chemical has on the wet strength 180 dm3/h or 5 kg/t of paper, whereby the
of paper in the machine direction and cross required wet strength value was obtained.
direction. From the presented results the In order to have an insight into the influence
optimal amount of chemical consumption of chemicals on the physical and mechanical
that meets the required wet strength value properties of paper, the analysis of semi-
can be seen. Due to the need to saturate the extensible paper without the addition of wet-
system, a larger amount of agents was added strength chemicals was performed. Figure 5
at the beginning. The measured values of wet compares the values of tensile strength,
strength (in the cd and md direction) were measured in the MD and CD directions of the
lower on the first analyzed tambourines paper, in the dry and wet state in the case
because it is necessary to saturate the system when no wet Strength chemical was used
with the added wet strength additive. Then, during production.
smaller amounts of the agent were added and

9.00 7.83 7.84 7.75

Tensile strength, kN/m

8.00
7.00 6.28 6.00 6.15
6.00
5.00
4.00
3.00
2.00 0.70 0.89 0.70 0.90 0.70 0.90
1.00
0.00

Reel 4386 Reel 4387 Reel 4388

Reel

CD - Tensile strength-CD, kN/m CD - wet tensile strength-CD, kN/m

MD - Tensile strength-MD, kN/m MD - Wet tensile strength-MD, kN/m

Figure 5. Tensile strength in dry and wet state in cd and md direction

Journal of Sustainable Technology and Materials 33

 Husić et al. Effect of addition of wet-strength agent on tensile strength of paper

Figure 5 shows the measured value of production itself, so the optimal balance
tensile strength in the dry and wet state in must be found between the
two directions of the paper to which no consumption of funds and the cost-
chemicals for wet strength were added. The effectiveness of the product.
same analysis was performed on three  In order to prove the impact of
paper reels (42t paper). The diagram shows chemicals on the product, an analysis of
that the value of tensile strength in the wet paper without the addition of chemicals
state decreases sharply compared to the was performed. Such a product does not
value of tensile strength in the dry state. On have the strength in the wet state that is
Figure 5, it can be seen that the mechanical needed. By saturating the paper with
properties of the paper in the dry state are at water, the paper loses its physical and
a high level, but after immersion in water, mechanical properties, which is proven
these values decrease. The reason for the by the analyzes in this paper. Chemicals
high values of mechanical properties in the for wet strength are those that lead to
dry state for this type of paper is related to the creation of new bonds with fibers
the raw material from which it is obtained, and the preservation of physical and
long cellulose fibers and their processing by mechanical properties when the paper
grinding processes, and also with the help of is wet. Analyzes showed that the value
machine orientation. The obtained values of of wet paper strength in paper to which
the comparison of tensile strength in the wet strength chemicals were not added
wet and dry states shown in Figure 5 show was 10%, while in paper with the
that there is a decrease in the value by about addition of wet strength chemicals,
90% when the paper is in the wet state. depending on the amount added, this
value is 20-35%;
3. CONCLUSION  The impact of the amount of chemicals,
In this paper, theoretical research was i.e. the amount of chemicals consumed
conducted on the production of wet- in relation to paper production was
strength paper and the mechanism of action investigated in this paper and the
of wet-strength chemicals. Based on the results were obtained on the optimal
results of this research and research amount of consumption per ton of paper,
conducted in the laboratory and industrial following the internal standard on
conditions in the pulp and paper factory physical and mechanical properties of
Natron - Hayat, the following conclusions paper and economic aspect;
were reached:  In order to be competitive with the
 Wet strength semi extensible paper as a market, paper mills must follow new
paper with strong mechanical trends in production and have papers for
properties in the wet state is a sought- specific purposes in their product
after product for all purposes in which portfolio, such as wet strength paper.
the paper comes as packaging for
products with a higher percentage of Conflicts of Interest
moisture; The authors declare no conflict of interest
 In order to obtain good physical and
mechanical properties of paper in the 4. References
wet state, the use of additional [1] Š. Botonjić, Proizvodnja celuloze i papira-
chemicals is required. In order to find teorija i praksa, Fojnica, 2017.
the optimal consumption of the [2] H. Duraković, Proizvodnja clupak papira,
Fojnica, 2010.
chemical, but also to meet the required
[3] H.H. Espy, The mechanism of wet strength
value of paper strength in the wet state,
development in paper, Tappi J. 78(1995) 4, p.
it was concluded that the optimal value 90-99
of consumption is 180 dm3/h or [4] L. L. Chan, Wet-Strength Resins and Their
approximately 5 kg/t of paper. The use of Applications, TAPPI Press, Atlanta, 1994
new chemicals in each production
process further increases the cost of

34 Journal of Sustainable Technology and Materials

 Husić et al. Effect of addition of wet-strength agent on tensile strength of paper

[5] C. J. Biermann, Handbook of Pulping and tensile properties — Part 2: Constant rate of
Papermaking, 2nd Edition, Academic Press elongation method (20 mm/min), Geneva:
Limited, London, 1996 ISO.2008
[6] E. Husić, Wet strength papir, hemizam i [9] International Standards Office, ISO 1924-
uticaj na fizičko-mehaničke osobine papira, 3:2005 Paper and board—Determination of
[Magistarski rad], Univerzitet u Zenici, tensile properties— Part 3: Constant rate of
Metalurško-tehnološki fakultet, Zenica, 2021. elongation method (100 mm/min), Geneva:
[7] C. S. Maxwell, Wet Strength in Paper and ISO.2005
Paperboard, Monograph No. 29, (J. P. [10] International Standards Office, ISO
Weidner, Ed.), TAPPI, Atlanta, 1965, p. 23-26 3781:2011, Paper and board — Determination
[8] International Standards Office, ISO 1924- of tensile strength after immersion in water,
2:2008; Paper and board — Determination of Geneva: ISO.2011

Journal of Sustainable Technology and Materials 35