Date of Award

12-2006

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging

First Advisor

Dr. Margaret K. Joyce

Second Advisor

Dr. Paul D. Fleming

Third Advisor

Dr. David E. Knox

Abstract

This study concentrates on the development, application, characterization and optimization of shape engineered pigments and co-polymerized sustainable coatings to provide solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board with a barrier against water, water vapor, and gasses. In contrast to off-line extrusion coating with unsustainable petroleum based products, conventional and co-polymerized shape engineered pigmented dispersion coatings were used to improve barrier, surface, optical and mechanical properties of an SBS board.

It is very important for package and quick-service wares made from coated SBS board to maintain barrier and mechanical properties at high humidity and temperature applications. The coated SBS board package should protect the products or contents from gasses such as oxygen and water vapor, and also from liquids, microorganisms and other contaminants from various sources. The coated SBS board package should also maintain the mechanical properties such as flexural stiffness while the end-user handles the package or quick-service wares made from the board.

Paperboard packages are commonly extrusion coated off-machine with unsustainable petroleum based products such as polyethylene, polypropylene & polyethylene terephthalate, etc. to improve its barrier against gasses, water and water vapor. Above all, the recycling of petroleum based products coated on SBS paperboard is extremely difficult. Thus, a great desire by package manufacturers, retailers, and consumers to use environmentally friendly packaging has created a large and expanded need for renewable, recyclable and/or biodegradable materials. The need to reduce the amount of non-disposable materials is growing.

This study is an attempt to demonstrate how to limit or replace the abovementioned unsustainable materials by using nanostructured environmental friendly shape engineered pigments. Shape engineered pigments based barrier coatings provided significantly improved barrier and other property enhancements. The developed barrier coatings have lower water and water vapor sensitivity, and permeability to gases without affecting the mechanical properties. All these property improvements could be used to impart barrier properties to packages. These coatings can be applied online at machine speeds, thereby improving productivity and economics.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

Download

Included in

Engineering Commons

Share

COinS