Air Dynamic Forming as an alternative for conventional papermaking

摘要

The applicability of the Air Dynamic Forming (ADF) process for papermaking is discussed. The principles of its main stages are reviewed as well as the effects on furnish properties. The ADF process comprises semidry disintegration, air forming and consolidation stages. It was found that fiber damage or fiber cutting could be avoided during disintegration under semidry conditions. However, residual fiber moisture content is necessary to prevent irreversible morphological changes in the fiber cell wall. Good correlation was found between critical residual fiber moisture content and the fiber saturation point. At certain regimes ADF can produce a web with good formation and sufficient inter-fiber bonding without the use of a binder. Therefore, there is evidence that the ADF method offers better potential for producing paper-like products at industrial scale than existing commercial dry-laid technologies. It might even be used to replace traditional papermaking technology in certain product groups.