Abstract
Use of foam instead of water as a material carrier in the
manufacturing of novel paper like structures has recently
been studied intensively. The new technology would
provide potential savings in raw materials, energy and
water in comparison with traditional water forming. The
foam forming technology can produce materials with
striking new features such as improved material
homogeneity and reduced density [1]. Moreover, it is also
possible to tailor the microporous structures with foam
properties [2]. The studied foams were generated with
axial mixing [3], where the bubble size and its
distribution were affected by several factors such as
rotational speed, air content and surface tension.
Responses of wet foam to inclusion of natural and
regenerated cellulose fibres were quite different. The
mean bubble size became smaller for natural fibres than
for regenerated fibres. In addition, the bubble size
distribution became narrower for natural fibres. The
reason behind this behaviour is likely to be the rough
surfaces of the natural fibres and their fine particle
fraction, which are absent for regenerated fibres.
Relation of the deposited structure and foam properties
was investigated by comparing the pore structure with the
measured bubble size distribution. We found that the pore
structure and corresponding macroscopic sheet properties
could be affected by the mean bubble size. The effect of
bubble size on the porous structure was strongest for
stiff fibres. (1) J. Lehmonen, P. Jetsu, K. Kinnunen, T.
Hjelt, Potential of foam-laid forming technology for
paper applications, Nordic Pulp Paper Res. J. 28 (2013)
392-398.
(2) A. M. Al-Qararah, T. Hjelt, K. Kinnunen, N. Beletski,
J. A. Ketoja, Exceptional pore size distribution in
foam-formed fiber networks, Nordic Pulp Paper Res. J. 27
(2012) 226-230.
(3) A. M. Al-Qararah, T. Hjelt, A. Koponen, A. Harlin, J.
A. Ketoja, Response of wet foam to fibre mixing.
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 467
(2015) 97-106.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2nd International Conference on Rheology and Modeling of Materials |
| Subtitle of host publication | Book of Abstracts |
| Place of Publication | Hungary |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
| Event | 2nd International Conference on Rheology and Modeling of Materials: ic-rmm2 - Miskolc-Lillafüred, Hungary Duration: 5 Oct 2015 → 9 Oct 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | 2nd International Conference on Rheology and Modeling of Materials |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Hungary |
| City | Miskolc-Lillafüred |
| Period | 5/10/15 → 9/10/15 |
Keywords
- fibre
- foam
- material
- bubble
- pore
- structure