Solid-state13C-NMR analysis of size components in handsheets prepared by fatty acid soap size-alum systems

The mechanism of paper sizing in fatty acid soap size-alum systems was studied by structural analyses of the size components in handsheets prepared with¹³C-labeled fatty acid soap size. Patterns of sizing performance and aluminum content of the handsheets were similar to those for the rosin soap size-alum sizing systems, although the patterns of calcium content were different. Solid-state¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the handsheets revealed that fatty acid calcium salt was the predominant size component in the handsheets prepared using tap water. This calcium salt is formed from the fatty acid soap size (fatty acid potassium salt) by ion exchange with calcium ion in pulp suspensions and retained on pulp fibers through aluminum compounds originating from alum added. On the other hand, when deionized water was used, free fatty acid was the major component in the handsheets. Fatty acid aluminum salt was present as a minor component in the handsheets prepared in both tap water and deionized water systems. Therefore, all size components (i.e., fatty acid calcium salt, free fatty acid, fatty acid aluminum salt) seem to contribute to the appearance of sizing features.This research was presented in part at the 64th Pulp and Paper Research Conference of Japan TAPPI, Tokyo, June 1997