THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SINGLE-FIBER CONTACT-ANGLE AND SIZING PERFORMANCE

Measurement of single fiber advancing contact angles of water on pulp fibers treated with AKD sizing compared to sizing performance indicate d sensitivity to changes in the AKD amount. The single fiber contact a ngle was linearly proportional to the AKD dosage. Comparing single fib er contact angle measurements with AKD retention and reaction revealed that unreacted AKD contributes to the fiber hydrophobicity. The diffe rence in wet surface areas between hardwood and softwood pulps may be the reason that hardwoods size more easily.