Flocculation and Formation - the Action and Effect

Formation which is one of the most fundamental characteristic of paper quality is affected by a number of variables. Fiber flocculation in the headbox has been recognized as the most important variable influencing formation. Consistency and crowding number of headbox stock are known to represent the flocculation potential of stocks. The effects of consistency and crowding number on paper formation were studied by measuring the flocculation of fiber suspensions. Increasing consistency increased the degree of fiber flocculation. Especially the consistency of long fiber fraction was the most crucial factor of flocculation. Tensile strength of handsheets was furnish dependent rather than flocculation dependent. Crowding number of a furnish can be used for the characterization of stock flocculation.