Date of Award

4-1995

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Paper Science and Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Ellsworth Shriver

Abstract

Wet strength is defined as a paper which has extraordinary resistance to rupture or disintegration when saturated with water. This definition has been interpreted as if a paper sample retains more than 15% of its dry strength when wetted, it can be considered to have wet strength properties.

Wet strength resins are chemicals that aid in wet strength, and they have been around since the 1940's. These wet strength resins help to protect paper and paper products from breaking down in the presence of water and high humidity. There are many uses for wet strength resins these days, Some of these are: To protect from outdoor weather, to aid in drying and wiping, to wrap up food products, and to help in things that must be totally submerged in water.

The resins compared are urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, polyamide epichlorohydrin, and polyamine epichiorohydrin. These resins when compared showed that the newer PAE resins had better wet strength properties than the older formaldehydes. Because of this reason and that formaldehyde is a public hazard and is regulated by OSHA, the PAE resins came out better in cost and overall usage.

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