Cellulose Products Sensitive to Weather Fluctuations

Purpose

These extensive variations can directly affect the material's properties, including its durability, structure, and physical appearance. Therefore, it is necessary to be extra careful with sample handling to ensure that the analysis results are reliable and representative of the actual material.

Hysteresis is a phenomenon relevant across various fields and affects how fibers, and consequently paper, react when the surrounding humidity changes. The effect of hysteresis becomes evident when transitioning from high relative humidity (RH) to 50% RH, compared to transitioning from lower relative humidity to the same 50% RH. This means that the paper will not have the same absolute moisture content at 50% RH depending on the path it follows to reach that level. To compensate for this phenomenon and ensure that the paper's properties are consistent and comparable, a standardized process is implemented.

To achieve reproducible results and ensure they can be compared with previous measurements, paper samples exposed to high relative humidity are placed in a special climate chamber where the humidity drops to below 35% RH according to standard. Subsequently, the samples are conditioned to 50% RH in a paper laboratory before undergoing subsequent paper testing. By following this standardized methodology, the paper's properties are measured under similar conditions, ensuring that the results are comparable and reliable over time.

It is also possible to analyze and determine the hysteresis effect for a specific paper or cardboard sample to anticipate its expected properties under different humidity conditions. Depending on the paper's history and composition, its properties may vary, making it more or less suitable for various applications. Understanding and considering the hysteresis effect is therefore important for selecting the right type of paper for specific use cases and ensuring its performance under different conditions.

Methods

In custom-designed facilities, we have the capability to conduct experiments and investigations to study the impact of moisture on various properties of paper. These facilities are engineered to replicate different environments, simulating temperature and humidity conditions found in printing facilities, conversion plants, and office environments, among others. The aim is to observe how the characteristics of different types of paper and cardboard behave under these conditions to gain a better understanding of their performance and durability.

By creating these controlled environments, we can meticulously monitor and analyze how paper reacts to different levels of moisture and temperature. For instance, we can examine how paper fibers expand or contract with changes in humidity and how this affects the structure, strength, and appearance of the paper. Additionally, we can investigate how the surface properties of paper change under varying climatic conditions, which is crucial for printing and conversion processes.

Another significant application of these custom facilities is simulating the transportation of paper products through different climates. By exposing paper products to various temperature and humidity levels, we can assess how they are affected under different transport conditions, ensuring their quality and integrity when they reach their destinations. 

Expertise: 

RISE possesses profound expertise regarding the impact of moisture on materials.

Deliveries

RISE offers a report that includes data in Excel format and relevant images and diagrams. It is carefully compiled using standard methods for the conducted analyses. The report also includes an assessment of measurement uncertainty to ensure the reliability of the presented results. All relevant parameters significant to the specific analysis are included to provide a comprehensive picture of the situation. Additionally, detailed comments and explanations are provided to offer further insight and understanding of the presented data.