Weyerhaeuser Company Limited

Robert C Gaines

Jerome M Gess

Margot J Harding

The invention is a fibrous, cationic cellulose pulp product and the method for preparing it. A water suspension of cellulosic fiber is treated under alkaline conditions with a condensate of epichlorohydrin and dimethylamine. Up to 30 molar percent of the DMA may be replaced by a crosslinking agent such as ammonia or a lower aliphatic diamine. The process may be carried out at room or elevated temperatures. It is practical to add the condensate at one of the later alkaline stages of a bleaching process; e.g., an alkaline extraction or peroxide stage. This is most preferably done later than any chlorination or hypochlorite stages. The product shows greatly improved retention of acid and other anionic dyes. It also shows superior retention of some pigments and latices without the need for other cationic aids. In some cases a small amount of alum appears to have a synergistic retention effect with the cationic pulp product when used with titanium dioxide and certain anionic latices.

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Federal Way, WA, United States of America

Robert C Gaines