Effect of Cationic Polyacrylamide Molecular Weight on the Retention of Mixed Talc and GCC Fillers of Different Particle Sizes Using a Wet End Process Simulator, TAPPICon26

This study investigated the relationship between cationic polyacrylamide (C-PAM) molecular weight and inorganic filler particle size in paper retention, using the Wet End Process Simulator (WEPS), which replicates industrial papermaking sheet-forming conditions through vacuum dewatering and vibration. Stocks containing larger-particle talc exhibited greater flocculation and poorer formation than those with smaller-particle ground calcium carbonate (GCC), with formation further deteriorating as C-PAM molecular weight increased from 6 to 8 million. The lower specific surface area of talc limited polymer adsorption, leaving excess C-PAM to promote fiber flocculation. These results indicate that optimal polymer dosage depends on the available adsorption surface area, and that low–molecular-weight C-PAM is more effective for retaining small-sized fillers with large surface areas. In mixed-filler systems (talc:GCC = 50:50), higher proportions of 8-million C-PAM improved the retention of larger talc particles, whereas higher proportions of 6-million C-PAM enhanced the retention of smaller GCC particles. Overall, high–molecular-weight C-PAM is more suitable for larger particles, while lower–molecular-weight C-PAM is more effective for smaller particles; thus, blending C-PAMs of different molecular weights is recommended for efficient retention of fillers with a broad particle size distribution.

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