Surface properties and pore structure of superheated steam dried paper

Effects of superheated steam drying were determined for surface properties and pore structure of paper, properties which are important in the end use of paper. Two furnishes were investigated, thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and a TMP/kraft pulp blend. Drying of handsheets under matched conditions in air was used as the basis of comparison.TMP paper dried in superheated steam has a slightly higher surface roughness, by about 0.5 $ mu$m at a roughness around 8 $ mu$m. This difference decreases with drying fluid temperature. It is also reduced by about half after a very light blade coating. Surface roughness of paper from 50/50 TMP/kraft blend is unaffected.Superheated steam drying reduces substantially the linting propensity of TMP paper, by about 30%-60% depending on the criteria used. Improved lignin softening by higher web temperature from the beginning of drying in superheated steam drying is believed an important mechanism in improving bonding of surface fines and short fibre fragments.The Z-direction bond strength of TMP paper after surface treatment with water is about 20% higher for sheets dried in steam. Time for water absorption is 100%-150% longer for superheated steam dried TMP paper and contact angle of water is also substantially increased.Superheated steam drying substantially reduces the volume of micropores of diameter 0.2-0.6 $ mu$m while having no significant effect on larger pores. Thus superheated steam drying affects only the pore structure of the micronetwork. The decrease of micropore volume in superheated steam drying is associated with an increase of Z-direction bond strength and a decrease of light scattering coefficient