TECHNICAL NOTE: A Method to Determine the Wetting of Wood Fibers with Thermoplastic

Abstract

This paper presents a method which allows to assess the wettability of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) with thermoplastic. The method is based on the usage of laboratory sheets made of TMP and plastic granules which form drops under heat. The contact angle of the drops after re-solidification on the surface of the laboratory sheets serves as the wetting characteristic. This method enables a direct and evaluable testing of wood fiber thermoplastic combinations. The exemplary results indicate that wood species, pulping temperature and mercerization influence the wettability of TMP with thermoplastic.