Water absorbency, capacity and rate

Water absorbency is a measure of the amount of water absorbed by the wetted surface of paper and board materials. Cobb test (Sized papers and paperboards) The Cobb test determines the amount of water absorbed into the surface by a sized (nonbibulous) paper, paperboard, and corrugated fibreboard paper or paperboard sample in a set period of time, usually 6 or !" seconds (Cobb6 or Cobb!" ). Water absorbency is #uoted in g$m%. The water absorbency of a material can ha&e strong influence on printability and the setting rate of water based adhesi&es. Klemm method (Unsized papers and paperboards) 'or unsized papers such as blotting papers and other papers ha&ing relati&ely high water absorbency the (lemm method for determining water absorbency is used. Test pieces are immersed to a set depth in water and the height of the water rise is measure after a set time. )mithers *ira test in accordance with BS 6504. Ca e method (!iss"e paper and tiss"e prod"cts) The water absorbency time and water absorbance capacity of tissue paper and tissue products is determined in accordance with ## $%& '(6(5)*. Water absorbency rate This test determines the li#uid sorption rate of bibulous paper, paperboard, and paper products using gra&imetric principles. + set &olume of water is dropped onto the paper surface and the time for the drop to be absorbed is measured. The water absorbency rate is used as a measure of the acceptability of tissue, towelling and blotter papers in sorpti&e tas,s. -ther test li#uids such as in,, oil and mil, are used to assess the comparati&e performance of papers for specific applications.

Wet e+pansion
Wet e.pansion, also ,nown as hydroe.pansion, is determined as the percentage change in length of a test piece when soa,ed in water. )mithers *ira testing is made in accordance with British Standard BS5*,-. /ifferences in wet e.pansion across and along the length of a sheet are the result of the alignment of the paper fibres in the grain direction. The wet e.pansion properties of paper are critical in applications such as boo,s and outdoor posters.

.oist"re content ) o/en dryin method

The moisture content of paper and paperboard is the #uantity of water present and measurable in paper. This will &ary according to the en&ironment and the moisture added during manufacturing and con&ersion processes. 0niform moisture content is critical for paper to be free from distortions such as curl, twist and wa&iness which cause printers and copiers to 1am. The moisture content of paper can &ary at any gi&en relati&e humidity depending on whether the moisture was desorbed (brought into e#uilibrium from a higher relati&e humidity) or adsorbed (brought into e#uilibrium from a lower relati&e humidity) - the hysteresis effect. )mithers *ira determines the moisture content of paper and paperboard by the o&en-drying techni#ue. The paper is weighed before and after o&en drying at ! 23C. 4esults are #uoted as a percentage (5) moisture content of the original or dry sample weight.

Building Products

Bending strength Capillary absorption test Density Drying shrinkage Flexural strength Water absorption Moisture movement Reaction to fire Voids hermal properties Vapour permeability Bond strength Compressive strength Dimensions !fflorescence Free"e tha# Water suction $ib support %and grading ensile splitting

ransverse strength&

Tiles, Adhesives and Grouts

Breaking load Colour differences 'brasion resistance Flexural strength (mpact resistance Moisture expansion Rectangularity %hear strength %lip resistance ensile strength hermal shock Water absorption Chemical resistance Cra"ing resistance Dimensions Frost resistance Modulus of Rupture 'dhesive open time %taining %lip %urface )uality hermal expansion ransverse strength&