Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

3D analysis of paper microstructures at the scale of fibres and bonds

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Cellulose Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The evolution of paper microstructure parameters, such as porosity and fibre orientation, as a function of papermaking conditions is most often studied at a macroscopic scale. However, modelling the physical and mechanical properties of papers using upscaling approaches requires understanding the deformation micro-mechanisms that are induced by papermaking operations within the structure of paper fibrous networks for individual fibres and fibre-to-fibre bonds. We addressed this issue by analysing three-dimensional images of model papers. These images were obtained using X-ray microtomography. The model papers were fabricated by varying forming, pressing, and drying conditions. For each image, this analysis enabled an unprecedented large set of geometrical parameters to be measured for individual fibres (centreline, shape and inclination of the fibre cross sections) and fibre-to-fibre bonds (inter-bond distance, number of bonds per unit length of fibre, bond surface area) within the fibrous networks. The evolution of the as-obtained microstructure parameters was analysed as a function of papermaking conditions. All results were in accordance with the data available in the literature. A key result was obtained for the evolution of the number of fibre-to-fibre contacts per fibre as a function of the network density. A representative number of contacts was obtained using relatively small imaged volumes. These volumes must only contain enough fibre segments the cumulated length of which is of the same order as the mean fibre length. These results were also used to validate microstructure models for the prediction of the number of fibre-to-fibre contacts within fibrous networks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alava M, Niskanen K (2006) The physics of paper. Rep Prog Phys 69:669–723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander SD, Marton R (1968) Effect of beating and wet pressing on fiber and sheet properties. Tappi 51(6):283–288

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batchelor WJ, He J (2005) A new method for determining the relative bonded area. Tappi J 4(6):23–28

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batchelor WJ, He J, Sampson WW (2006) Inter-fibre contacts in random fibrous materials: experimental verification of theoretical dependence on porosity and fibre width. J Mater Sci 41:8377–8381

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batchelor WJ, Kibblewhite RP, He J (2008) A new method for measuring RBA applied to the page equation for the tensile strength of paper. Appita J 61(4):302–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloch J-F, Rolland du Roscoat S (2009) Three-dimensional structural analysis. In: 14th fundamental research symposium, Oxford, pp 599–664

  • Eichhorn SJ, Sampson WW (2005) Statistical geometry of pores and statistics of porous nanofibrous assemblies. J R Soc Interface 2:309–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer WJ, Hirn U, Bauer W, Schennach R (2012) Testing of individual fiber–fiber joints under biaxial load and simultaneous analysis of deformation. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 27(2):237244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guiraud O, Orgéas L, Dumont PJJ, du Rolland Roscoat S (2012) Microstructure and deformation micro-mechanisms of concentrated fiber bundle suspensions: an analysis combining X-ray microtomography and pull-out tests. J Rheol 56(3):593–623

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He J, Batchelor WJ, Johnston RE (2003) The behavior of fibers in wet pressing. Tappi J 2(12):27–31

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingmanson WL, Thode EF (1959) Factors contributing to the strength of a sheet of paper. Tappi J 42(1):83–93

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kappel L, Hirn U, Bauer W, Schennach R (2009) A novel method for the determination of bonded area of individual fibre–fibre bonds. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 24:199–205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kappel L, Hirn U, Gilli E, Bauer W, Schennach R (2010a) Revisiting polarized light microscopy for fiber-fiber bond area measurement—part I: theoretical fundamentals. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 25:65–70

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kappel L, Hirn U, Gilli E, Bauer W, Schennach R (2010b) Revisiting polarized light microscopy for fiber–fiber bond area measurement—part II: proving the applicability. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 25:71–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Latil P, Orgéas L, Geindreau C, Dumont PJJ, du Rolland Roscoat S (2011) Towards the 3D in situ characterisation of deformation micro-mechanisms within a compressed bundle of fibres. Compos Sci Technol 71:480–488

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le Corre S, Dumont P, Orgéas L, Favier D (2005) Rheology of highly concentrated planar fiber suspensions. J Rheol 49:1029–1058

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leskelä M (1998) Optical properties. In: Paper Physics. Papermaking science and technology, book 16. Paper physics. Fapet Oy, Helsinki, pp 116–137

  • Luner P, Kärnä AEU, Donofrio CP (1961) Studies in interfibre bonding of paper. The use of optical bonded area with high yield pulps. Tappi J 44(6):409–414

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marulier C, Dumont PJJ, Orgéas L, Caillerie D, du Rolland Roscoat S (2012) Towards 3D analysis of pulp fibre networks at the fibre and bond levels. Nord Pulp Paper Res J 28(2):245–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naito T (2002) Struture and structural anisotropy. In: Mark Richard E, Habeger Charles C Jr, Borch Jens, Bruce Lyne M (eds) Handbook of physical testing of paper, revised and expanded, vol 1, 2nd edn. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp 901–1012

    Google Scholar 

  • Niskanen K, Rajatora H (2002) Statistical geomety of paper cross-sections. J Pulp Pap Sci 28(7):228–233

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Niskanen K, Krenlampi P (1998) In-plane tensile properties, chap 5. In: Papermaking science and technology, paper physics, book 16. Fapet Oy, Helsinki

  • Orgéas L, Dumont PJJ, Vassal J-P, Guiraud O, Michaud V, Favier D (2012) In-plane conduction of polymer composite plates reinforced with architectured networks of copper fibres. J Mater Sci 47:2932–2942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paavilainen L (1994) Bonding potential of softwood sulphate fibres. Paperi ja Puu 76(3):162–173

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Page DH, Tydeman PA, Hunt M (1962) A study of fibre-to-fibre bonding by direct observation, In: 2nd fundamental research symposium on formation and structure of paper, Oxford, pp 171–193

  • Rolland du Roscoat S, Decain M, Thibault X, Geindreau G, Bloch J-F (2007) Estimation of microstructural properties from synchrotron X-ray microtomography and determination of the REV in paper materials. Acta Mater 55:2841–2850

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salmén L, Fellers C (1989) The nature of volume hygroexpansivity of paper. J Pulp Paper Sci 15(2):63–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Sampson W (2004) A model for fibre contact in planar random fibre networks. J Mater Sci 39:2775–2781

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sampson WW (2009a) Materials properties of paper as influenced by its fibrous architecture. Int Mater Rev 54:134–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sampson WW (2009b) Modelling stochastic fibrous materials with Mathematica. Springer, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmied FJ, Teichert C, Kappel L, Hirn U, Schennach R (2012) Joint strength measurements of individual fiber-fiber bonds: an atomic force microscopy based method. Rev Sci Instrum 83:073902. doi:10.1063/1.4731010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmied FJ, Teichert C, Kappel L, Hirn U, Bauer W, Schennach R (2013) What holds paper together: nanometre scale exploration of bonding between paper fibres. Sci Rep 3:2432. doi:10.1038/srep02432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seth RS, Jang HF, Chan BK, Wu CB (2003) Transverse dimensions of wood pulp fibres and their implications for end use. In: Baker CF (ed) 11th fundamental research symposium on the fundamentals of papermaking materials, Cambridge, 1997 (trans.). FRC, Manchester, pp 473–503. ISBN: 0-9545272-1-6

  • Silvy J (1980) Structural study of fiber networks: the cellulosic fiber case. Thèse de docteur d’état. Univ. Grenoble

  • Thomson CI, Lowe RM, Ragauskas AJ (2007) Imaging celulose fibre interfaces with fluorescence microscopy and resonance energy transfer. Carbohyd Polym 69:799–804

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson CI, Lowe RM, Ragauskas AJ (2008a) First characterization of the development of bleached kratf softwood pulp fiber interfaces during drying and rewetting using FRET technology. Holzforschung 62:383–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson CI, Lowe R, Page D, Ragauskas A (2008b) Exploring fibre-fibre interfaces via FRET and fluorescence microscopy. J Pulp Pap Sci 34:113–119

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toll S (1993) Note: on the tube model for fiber suspensions. J Rheol 37:123–125

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toll S (1998) Packing mechanics of fiber reinforcements. Polym Eng Sci 38:1337–1387

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torgnysdotter A, Kulachenko A, Gradin P, Wågberg L (2007) The link between the fiber contact zone and the physical properties of paper: a way to control paper properties. J Compos Mater 41:1619–1633

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uesaka T, Moss C, Nanri Y (1991) The characterization ofhygroexpansivity in paper. In: Proceedings of the international paper physics conference, vol 1134. TAPPI Press, Atlanta, pp 613–622

  • Vassal J-P, Orgéas L, Auriault JL, Le Corre S (2008) Upscaling the diffusion equations in particulate media made by highly conductive particles. Part II: application to the fibrous materials. Phys Rev 77:011303

    Google Scholar 

  • Viguié J, Latil P, Orgéas L, Dumont PJJ, du Rolland Roscoat S, Bloch J-F, Marulier C, Guiraud O (2013) Finding fibres and their contacts within 3D images of disordered fibrous media. Compos Sci Technol 89:202–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang CF, Eusufzai ARK, Sankar R, Mark RE, Perkins RW (1978) Measurements of geometric parameters of fibre networks: part 1. Bonded surfaces, aspect ratios, fibre moments of inertia, bonding site probabilities. Sven Papperstidn 81(13):426–433

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

C. Marulier gratefully acknowledges the cluster MACODEV funded by the Région Rhône-Alpes for his PhD research grant. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the ESRF (beamline ID19, E. Boller) where the microtomography experiments were performed in the framework of the Long Term Project MA127 “Heterogeneous Fibrous Materials”. The authors also gratefully acknowledge O. Guiraud (Novitom) for fruitful technical discussion. This work was partially carried out within the ANR research program “3D discrete analysis of deformation micro-mechanisms in highly concentrated fibre suspensions” (ANAFIB, Grant Agreement No. ANR-09-JCJC-0030-01). This work was also partially carried out within PowerBonds, a project funded by WoodWisdom-Net. This research was made possible thanks to the facilities of the TekLiCell platform funded by the Région Rhône-Alpes (ERDF: European regional development fund). LGP2 and 3SR are parts of the LabEx Tec 21 (Investissements d’Avenir—Grant Agreement No. ANR-11-LABX-0030) and of the Energies du Futur and PolyNat Carnot Institutes.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. LGP2, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Cyril Marulier & Pierre J. J. Dumont

  2. LGP2, CNRS, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Cyril Marulier & Pierre J. J. Dumont

  3. LGP2, Agefpi, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Cyril Marulier & Pierre J. J. Dumont

  4. 3SR, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Laurent Orgéas, Sabine Rolland du Roscoat & Denis Caillerie

  5. 3SR, CNRS, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Laurent Orgéas, Sabine Rolland du Roscoat & Denis Caillerie

  6. ID 19 Topography and Microtomography Group, ESRF, 38043, Grenoble Cedex, France

    Sabine Rolland du Roscoat

Authors
  1. Cyril Marulier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pierre J. J. Dumont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Laurent Orgéas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sabine Rolland du Roscoat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Denis Caillerie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pierre J. J. Dumont.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Marulier, C., Dumont, P.J.J., Orgéas, L. et al. 3D analysis of paper microstructures at the scale of fibres and bonds. Cellulose 22, 1517–1539 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-015-0610-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-015-0610-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation