The objectives of this thesis were (1) to prove/disprove the recyclability of glassine paper (2) to find the optimal conditions for glassine recyclability (if it indeed was recyclable) (3) to study the effects 20% glassine furnish had on strength properties compared to a furnish with no glassine in it. The conditions varied in this experiment were temperature (127oF to 190oF), pH (7.5 to 10.5) and time (O to 60 minutes). The tests performed were the image analyzer (for glassine specks), freeness, burst, tear and tensile. The last three tests were indexed.
The results from the image analyzer showed no increase in specks for all runs except 2 and 3 where increases did actually occur. Results also indicated freeness values dropped dramatically after the glassine was mixed into the original furnish. As a whole, tear, burst and tensile index values decreased after the glassine was added to the original furnish and continued to decrease with time.
Under the experimental conditions outlined in my report I was able to conclude several things. The first conclusion I made is that glassine is recyclable. Secondly, glassine fully recycles if the pH is at least 8.5 or higher. Third, strength properties were lower with 20% glassine hand sheets than they were for handsheets containing no recycled glassine.
Based upon this experiment I would recommend a 20% glassine furnish be recycled with a minimal pH of 8.5 but not much higher than this so as to preserve strength properties. I would recycle the glassine with a minimal temperature of 130oF for the same reason. At these two conditions I would recycle the glassine for at least 20 to 30 minutes to insure good glassine redispersion without using up excess time and energy
