Abstract
Nippoon Felt investigates around 2, 500 pieces of used felts each year. Our soil analysis consists of such measurements as organic solvent solubles, neutral detergent washings, hydrochloric acid (HCI) washings, and caustic soda (NaOH) washings. We inform our customers of the results and store the data in our computer for easy access to anyone in our company.
This report shows a summary of the analysis results by paper grades of the last ten years. The results show that the level of each analysis measurement leveled off or decreased at all paper grades. This is a kind of unexpected result in consideration of followings ; increase of neutral paper making, white water closed system, and higher usage of recycled fibers. We believe that this result in due to improvements in the felt cleaning system and in the felt quality itself.
By shifting to the neutral paper making process from the acid one, felt wearing in one of the big problems not to mention increases in felt fillings. Measures against filling problems are done in such a way as to apply coarser batt fibers to keep the felt open, to use heavier base fabrics, to decrease felt unit weight, etc. While the chemical cleaning process has been improved and effectively applied recently, the mechanical cleaning by high pressure shower is also used more frequently with higher and higher pressures which, in turn create a higher possibility of felt damage.
So to avoid this possibility of felt damage, certain measures are required. In this regard, Nippon Felt has been successful by an application of specially improved raw materials and improved felt production processes.
