Microstickies

Accumulation Mechanism

Small adhesive particles tend to remain stable in the process water until a change in temperature or chemistry causes them to agglomerate. Once they become unstable, microstickies deposit on forming wires and drying cylinders, leading to holes or spots in the finished sheet. Chemical fixatives are often added to the pulp to keep these particles dispersed or to bond them securely to the fibres.

Managing the temperature of the water loop prevents the particles from reaching their softening point and becoming tacky.

Quality Consequence

Finished paper containing these contaminants may cause issues during the printing process when heat from a fuser or drying unit softens the residue. This can lead to sheets sticking together or the buildup of material on the printing plates. Because they are too small to be removed by mechanical screens, their management relies on careful control of the incoming recovered paper.