wet tensile strength

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July 15, 2026

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Wet tensile strength refers to the tensile strength of paper when it is wet. Paper's strength is determined by factors such as fiber length, interfiber bonding, and sheet structure. While dry tensile strength measures the maximum stress a paper can withstand before tearing, wet tensile strength is crucial for products like paper towels and sanitary tissues that are exposed to moisture. Paper not treated for wet strength retains only about 4 to 8 percent of its dry strength when wet. Treatments can increase this to approximately 40 percent of its dry strength.12

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papermaking
Strength and durability
…water in their normal use, wet tensile testing has become important. This test is essentially the same as that for dry tensile strength, except that the specimen is wetted. Paper that has not been specifically treated to produce wet strength possesses from about 4 to about 8 percent of its…
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…water in their normal use, wet tensile testing has become important. This test is essentially the same as that for dry tensile strength, except that the specimen is wetted. Paper that has not been specifically treated to produce wet strength possesses from about 4 to about 8 percent of its…
Read More