The Megafil® family of precipitated calcium carbonates (PCCs) from Specialty Minerals Inc. (SMI) act as functional additives and fiber substitutes in the paper web, offering a balance of improved dry strength properties and internal sizing advantages. In conjunction with the paper fibers, the solid prismatic crystals of Megafill® PCC create a uniform structure, which promotes greater paper stiffness and strength. In fact, the specific particle shape of Megafill® PCCs interferes less with fiber-to-fiber bonding than other common minerals.
Megafil® PCC also reduces wet end chemical usage. In many instances, this pigment can significantly increase internal sizing response with the same level of synthetic size. It promotes easier drying during high speed paper production, creates a denser, flatter sheet than with traditional PCC fillers and develops a smoother substrate for subsequent coating operations. As with all PCC products from SMI, Megafil® PCCs are practically non-abrasive, high in brightness and display excellent first pass retention. Importantly, all of these benefits are made possible with improved paper machine speed and runnability.
There are three slurry grades of Megafil® PCC from SMI as shown in the selector chart. In general, these calcite prismatic crystals have similar properties but differ in particle sizes and surface areas. These differences give rise to desirable properties that can be exploited to the papermaker’s advantage. For example, the smaller particle size Megafil® 1000 PCC is used where optics and paper porosity are more important, while the larger particle size Megafil® 3000 PCC is recommended where strength and caliper control are needed.
You can download and print technical data and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for Megafil® PCC products. Click here.
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