Industry knowledge
Wet-strength Kraft paper is a type of paper that has been treated with a special chemical to increase its strength and durability when wet. It is typically made from Kraft pulp, which is a strong and resilient type of paper pulp derived from softwood trees.
The wet-strength treatment involves the addition of a resinous material to the paper during the papermaking process. The resinous material is typically made from synthetic polymers, such as urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde, which are known for their excellent water-resistant properties. The resinous material helps to strengthen the paper fibers and prevent them from breaking down when exposed to water or other liquids.
The properties of wet-strength Kraft paper include:
High tensile strength: Wet-strength Kraft paper has a high tensile strength, which makes it highly resistant to tearing or puncturing when wet.
Water resistance: Wet-strength Kraft paper has excellent water resistance properties, which means that it can withstand exposure to water or other liquids without becoming weak or disintegrating.
Durability: Wet-strength Kraft paper is highly durable, which makes it suitable for use in applications where the paper will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions or rough handling.
Versatility: Wet-strength Kraft paper is highly versatile and can be used for a wide range of applications, including packaging, food wrapping, and industrial uses.
Wet-strength Kraft paper is a type of paper that has been specially treated to resist disintegration when wet. It is commonly used for applications such as paper bags, food packaging, and industrial wrapping where it may come into contact with moisture or liquid.
The manufacturing process for wet-strength Kraft paper involves several steps:
Pulp preparation: Wood chips are processed into pulp by chemical or mechanical means. Kraft pulp is made by cooking wood chips in a solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, which breaks down the lignin in the wood and separates the fibers.
Kraft paper production: The Kraft pulp is then processed into Kraft paper using a paper machine. The paper machine consists of a series of rollers and screens that form the paper from the pulp. The paper is then dried and wound into rolls.
Wet-strength treatment: The wet-strength treatment is typically applied to the paper after it has been formed and dried, but before it is wound into rolls. The treatment involves adding a wet-strength resin to the paper, which bonds the fibers together and prevents the paper from disintegrating when wet.
Drying and finishing: After the wet-strength treatment has been applied, the paper is dried again to remove any excess moisture. It is then finished by calendering, which involves passing the paper through a series of rollers to smooth and compress the surface.