Press and Dryer Roll Surfaces and Web Transfer Systems

The objective of the project is to provide fundamental knowledge and diagnostic tools needed to design new technologies that will allow ultra high speed web transfer from press rolls and dryer cylinders. From a fundamental standpoint, we expect that roll surface performance depends on the composition of contaminants that deposit on those surfaces during use, as well as the materials and finishing techniques used in manufacturing these surfaces. We need to understand; the contamination process, the influence of contamination on work of adhesion, the roles of surface topology, film splitting, and process conditions on web transfer. The purpose of this quarterly report is to provide an overview of the project including key tasks, schedules for completion of tasks and to document accomplishments