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Modeling the penetration of polymer into paper during extrusion coating

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Abstract

During the extrusion coating of paper or paperboard, a molten film of polymer is pressed against a paper surface to generate waterproof packaging materials. Hot-melt glues are also applied to various porous materials and paperboard to generate packaging. In both cases, the penetration of the polymer into the pore space influences the product performance and the ability of the product to be recycled at the end of life. While there is much experimental work discussing various parameters in these operations, little theoretical work has been reported. Here, a simple model based on Darcy’s law is proposed to predict the penetration of polyethylene (PE) into paper and paper that has been coated with cellulose nanofibers (CNF). Another model, based on the flow of a polymer into a pore that includes dynamic heat transfer is developed, where the viscosity is a function of temperature. Experiments were conducted where a PE film is pressed against samples and the amount of fiber recovery is characterized. The model predictions are compared to experimental results. Good agreement for different paper types, pressing times, and temperatures is obtained after a calibration factor is used.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the University of Maine Paper Surface Science Program (PSSP). The Higher Committee for Education Development Iraq also provided support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paper Surface Science Program, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA

    Mubarak Khlewee, Mohammed Al-Gharrawi & Doug Bousfield

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  1. Mubarak Khlewee
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  2. Mohammed Al-Gharrawi
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  3. Doug Bousfield
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Correspondence to Doug Bousfield.

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Khlewee, M., Al-Gharrawi, M. & Bousfield, D. Modeling the penetration of polymer into paper during extrusion coating. J Coat Technol Res 19, 25–34 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-021-00487-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-021-00487-9

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