Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope Examination of Paper in High Moisture Environment: Surface Structural Changes and Electron Beam Damage

Authors

Päivi Forsberg, University of Maine
Pierre Lepoutre, University of Maine

Abstract

Supercalendered and coated papers (SC and LWC) were examined using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). Moderate structural surface changes were observed as water condensed on the surface in a high moisture environment. The changes were fully or partially reversible depending on the sample origin. A wide range of contact angles could be observed when condensing water on uncoated wood fibers. While there was no visible indication of irradiation damage on the commercial paper samples examined nor on mechanical pulp fibers, attempts to look at chemical pulp fibers during wetting to examine fiber swelling were unsuccessful because of very rapid irradiation damage.

Recommended Citation

Forsberg, Päivi and Lepoutre, Pierre (1994) "Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope Examination of Paper in High Moisture Environment: Surface Structural Changes and Electron Beam Damage," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 8: No. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol8/iss1/3