Swollen starches as papermaking additives

摘要

A wet end additive composition which is used as a sizing agent in a papermaking process, the composition comprising a two phase suspension of swollen starch having a dry substance from about 0.5 to about 30% by weight, a cooked swollen volume from about 1.6 ml./gram to about 100 ml./gram and cooked solubles from about 0.5% to about 50% by weight. The composition is prepared starting with a starch slurry having a relatively low concentration (dry substance) of starch. The slurry is subjected to carefully controlled swelling conditions (temperature and pH) which can vary depending upon the type of starch employed. The dry substance of the slurry also may vary depending upon whether a continuous or batch process is employed. The composition is used in a papermaking process by adding it to the furnish after the refining stage.