Investigation to Characterize the Weathering Properties of Cellulose Paper Treated with Certain Synthetic Resins

摘要

The investigation of the effectiveness of resin treatments in protecting paper from rot and weathering has included the following specific objectives: Determination of the relative effectiveness of a spectrum of different resins; Selection of effective and practical conditions for resin application; Determination of the effect of weathering on subsequent rot resistance; Determination of the effect of resin treatment on the physical properties of the paper; Elucidation of the mechanism of protective action; Preparation of treated sandbags for field evaluation. Resins explored have been of the aldehyde condensation type and principally of types used in paper treatment to confer wet strength. Two differences from the usual wet-strength treatment have been use of higher levels of treatment and addition to the preformed paper. Addition to paper pulp proved ineffective in conferring rot resistance. Soil burial tests showed several of the resins to confer a degree of protection as great or greater than contributed by the organozinc treatment presently being used. Little encouragement was seen for the concept that the resins afford protection to the weathering effects of combined exposure to light and leaching. The mechanism of protection appears to be one of a physical barrier to enzyme action on the cellulose. Organozinc treatment, in contrast, has a considerable component of direct antimicrobial action. Successful treatment of papers with phenol formaldehyde and with melamine formaldehyde monomer was conducted on a pilot-plant scale. Several recommendations are made for carrying forward the promising results shown by this study and eventually achieving commercial utilization. (Author)