The Use of a PAE /Bentonite Binary System to Improve the Wet Strength of Paper

Abstract

Bentonite and polyamidoamine epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin were added sequentially as a binary system to improve the properties of the paper, especially the wet strength. The results showed that the dry tensile index, the wet tensile index, and the folding endurance of the paper could be improved with only the use of polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin resin. However, a binary system of polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin resin and bentonite was more effective. When 0.8% polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin resin and 0.75% bentonite were added, the dry tensile index, the wet tensile index, and the folding endurance of the paper increased by 37.8%, 2780%, and 281%, respectively, when compared to the control sample. The measurements of the water retention value and the percent fines retention of the pulp showed higher values after being treated with the binary system than being treated by polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin resin alone. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that a binary system of polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin resin and bentonite could increase the combination of fibers in paper.