Hygiene Paper Softness - New insight into the manufacturing process with an optimised tissue softness analyser

Abstract

Softness, the tactile hand feel, is one of the most important properties of tissue paper products such as toilet paper or handkerchiefs. Because this human perception is particularly complex and the interaction of the mechanoreceptors in the skin cannot be fully explained scientifically, an objective evaluation is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, the tissue softness analyser (TSA) is a widely used tool in the tissue industry to measure this property as objectively as possible. A new development of the measuring device makes it now possible to study the production process of tissue paper manufacture in more detail. This was done based on the two industrial production lines with virgin pulp and recycled pulp. As a result, it could be confirmed that the refining process is a critical variable as it has a positive influence on strength and a negative influence on softness. In contrast, thermal drying and the creping process resulted in an increase of softness and a loss of strength. Also, a clear difference between virgin pulp and recycled pulp could be identified with the fibre softness potential.