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

Reptation

Reptation refers to the diffusion of a high-mass soluble polymer into a pore that has a characteristic size smaller than the polymer's average conformation in solution. Over time the polymer may be able to work its way into the pore "single file," starting at one end. The process of reptation tends to be inhibited by high molecular mass, branched polymer structures, or very high affinity between polymer segments and the substrate. There is evidence that polymers of molecular mass lower than about 10,000 grams per mole are able to reticulate into the pores in the cell walls of kraft fibers.

Request from the webmaster: Our goals include brevity and accuracy. Hopefully we have succeeded with the first goal without sacrificing the second. Please let us know right away if you find an error or omition. Also, please indicate points that need a clearer description.

RETURN TO INDEX PAGE OF ENCYCLOPEDIA

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