Mini-Encyclopedia of Papermaking Wet-End Chemistry
Part Three: Equipment & Unit Operations

Alkaline Papermaking

Alkaline papermaking refers to the formation of paper sheets from fiber slurries having a pH generally in the range of 7 to 9. Alkaline paper sheets typically contain some form of calcium carbonate filler. Conventional acidic conditions of pH 4 to 6 cannot be used with most calcium carbonate mineral products due to dissolution of the filler and release of carbon dioxide gas. Water repellency in alkaline papermaking operations is usually achieved with synthetic sizing agents such as alkenylsuccinic anhydride or alkylketene dimer.

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This page is maintained by Martin hubbe, Associate Professor of Wood and Paper Science, NC State University, m_hubbe@ncsu.edu .