Aging of printing and writing paper upon exposure to light. Part 2, Mechanical and chemical properties

Abstract

Data is presented on chemical and physical changes observed on a series of 15 specially made writing papers as part of the development of the new ASTM standard D6789-02. Papers were exposed to north window, fluorescent, and halogen illumination for several years. Furnish covered the span from stone groundwood to textile cotton, pH 5 to 8.1, with and without alkaline reserve. Degree of polymerization was dramatically reduced, even for the most robust papers under the mildest illumination. All mechanical properties were degraded, lignin aromatic structures were destroyed, and C=O bonds became more prevalent. The data suggests that indicators of longterm serviceability of papers are alkaline buffering capacity, initial strength properties, lignin content, and opacity.

Citation

Hunt, Chris; Yu, Xiaochun; Bond, James; Agarwal, Umesh; Atalla, Raj. 2003. Aging of printing and writing paper upon exposure to light. Part 2, Mechanical and chemical properties. 12th ISWPC International Symposium on Wood and Pulping Chemistry : Madison, Wisconsin, June 9-12, 2003, proceedings. Volume III, Poster presentations. [Madison, WI : University of Wisconsin--Madison, Dept. of Forest Ecology and Management, 2003]: Pages 231-234