Simulated strength of wet fibre networks

Computer simulations were employed to study the behaviour of wet webs under tensile load. Web behaviour is modelled at the fibre level, where dynamics of fibre motion are determined by fibre stiffness and such interactions as adhesive forces and interfibre friction. Water surface tension, interfibre contact area and moisture content all contribute to the adhesion force. Varying such properties as the fibre stiffness and shape causes changes in the network stiffness and elongation at break, but has little impact on the network strength. The tensile strength of wet fibre networks is described in terms of a very simple function of adhesion force magnitude, number of interfibre contacts, coefficient of friction and network grammage. Simulations agree generally with the results in the literature but have the advantage of being able to vary factors affecting wet web strength independently.