The invention of paper played a pivotal role in the history of human civilization. The first paper was used for the purpose of writing. These thin sheets materials today have several uses including writing, printing, packaging, cleaning and a number of industrial and construction processes. Paper is made by pressing together moist fibres of cellulose pulp that comes from wood, rags or grasses followed by a drying process. Before being put to its final form, a paper needs to undergo certain processes to modify or enhance its properties to suit an application. This is achieved by use of a variety of paper chemicals such as surface sizing chemicals, pulping chemicals, beaching chemicals, strengthening chemicals, and several others.
Use of chemicals is a very common practice to alter the paper in a number of ways including change of colour or brightness, increase in strength, and resistance to water, improve water retention, and so on. The nature and type of modification in paper properties completely depend on the intended purpose or application. This post brings to you the importance or role of surface sizing chemicals for paper – why these chemicals are used and how they help in altering paper property to meet a specific purpose.
Most paper types are required to posses some water-resistance capability in order to maintain a specific writing quality and/or printability. The primary objective of surface sizing chemicals is to increase the strength and printability of a paper by acting as a binding agent. Through application of these chemicals, a thin film is formed over the paper surface which helps in reducing paper powder and enhances both surface intensity and permeability. Surface sizing also helps in improving other typical paper characteristics such as liquid spreading, affinity for desired ink and hydrophilic property wherein certain molecules present in paper have a tendency to dissolve in water.
The other advantages of surface sizing of paper are –
- Significant reduction in the usage of inner sizing agents
- Reduction in cost and improvement in efficiency
Traditionally, starch is the most common binding agent or chemical used for surface sizing of papers. With advancement in technology over the years, superior substances have been introduced in order to provide improved results. In recent years, the paper industry is making use of a combination of cationic starch and synthetic copolymers.
Leading Indian paper chemicals companies are providing a complete paper chemicals suite consisting of international standard quality chemicals for improving paper properties. Surface size chemicals form an integral part of the suite and are widely popular in India as well as abroad. These surface sizing or binding agents possess all desired traits and are compatible with machines of both Size Press type and Gata Roll type. Made from acrylic copolymers, these surface sizing agents have certain key properties including yellowish appearance, solubility at normal temperature, 6 months long shelf life, and several others.
If you too are looking for high quality surface sizing chemicals for paper at competitive prices, check out the leading paper chemicals manufacturers based out of India. You can request for technical data sheet as well as latest pricing information.