Sheet formation and fibre orientation

General informations

The Physical Properties Testing Laboratory has all the equipment needed to characterise sheet formation, homogeneity of fibre distribution, the main angle of fibre orientation and the anisotropic ratio, as well as the presence of impurities or pinholes.

Several measuring devices have been specifically adapted:

• 2D formation analyser
• TSI/TSO device
• Orisurf device
• PHD (Pin Hole Detector) device

Other quantitative analyses are also available through visual observation and counting.

The main product types tested are:

• raw materials, such as papers, tissue paper, flat board, corrugated board;
• finished products such as screens, folding cartons, tissue products, blister packaging, labels, etc.

Technical Data and Achievements

Sheet formation index on Techpap 2D formation tester

• Analysis of greyscale variance on images taken through transmitted diffused light, with an overall index and an index per floc size
• Minimum size of samples: 12 cm x 12 cm

Good look-through		Bad look-through

Fibre orientation on Nomura SST device (identical to L&W TSO)

• On paper machine widths: Profiles of anisotropy and angle of orientation
• On sheet formats: Measurement of anisotropy and angle of orientation

Nomura SST device

Fibre orientation on Orisurf, Techpap

• On paper machine widths: Profiles of fibre orientation anisotropy and determination of angle of orientation at the same point on both faces.
• On sheet formats: Measurement of fibre orientation anisotropy and determination of angle of orientation at the same point on both faces.

Techpap’s Orisurf device

Impurities

• Visual observation of papers
• Impurities in papers, estimation of defects, according to the standard NF EN ISO 15 755
• Impurities in papers, estimation of defects, according to Tappi method T 437
• Impurities in pulp in sheet form, according to standard NF EN ISO 5350-2
• Impurities in laboratory sheets, according to the standard NF EN ISO 5350-1

Pinholes

Detection and counting of pinholes per 10 x 10cm area, according to the standard NF EN 13676, on the Pin Hole Detector device developed by the CTP.