Concrete curing blanket

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

CONCRETE CURING BLANKET l/We, McTech Group, Inc., a body corporate organised under the laws of United States of America of 120-B Camp Street, Loganville Georgia 30052, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA hereby declare the invention, for which l/we pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:Total Fee Paid: NZ$250.00 - by Direct Debit (as per covering letter)

50f 145885_1.DOC/B858

- 1 CONCRETE CURING BLANKET

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Producing quality hydraulic concrete or cement requires proper curing. Curing increases concrete strength, hence structural value. Proper curing is necessary for producing water-tight, durable concrete.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Curing involves chemical changes that result in setting and hardening.

These chemical changes occur over a considerable period of time in the presence of water. Water retention is important in the curing of hydraulic concretes, i.e., concretes that are dependent on a hydration reaction for hardening, and concretes that are bound with hydraulic concretes. Thus, concrete must be kept wet after it has set for as long a period as is practicable.

The most common hydraulic cement for construction purposes is Portland cement. Portland cement is a heat-treated mixture primarily of calcium carbonaterich material, such as limestone, marl or chalk, and material that is rich in AI₂SiO₂, such as clay or shale. Portland cement comes in several varieties that are distinguished by such characteristics as the rate of acquiring strength during curing, the amount of heat of hydration generated, and resistance to sulfate attack. Other types of hydraulic cements include aluminous cement, chalcedony cement, which is made from amorphous quartz, and Roman cement, which combines burnt clay or volcanic ash with lime and sand.

Concrete describes a mixture of stone, gravel or brushed rock and sand, referred to as aggregate, which is bound by a cement. As used herein,

-2concrete includes reinforced concrete, concrete that contains organic or silicabased fibers or metallic wire, cable or rods as a reinforcing substance, and polymer-cement concrete that is bound with Portland cement and a polymerized monomer or resin system. Hydraulic concrete and cement are referred to herein as concrete. Additional information on the composition and characteristics of concrete may be found in Basic Construction Materials by C. A. Herubin and T. W. Narotta, third edition, Reston Book, Englewood, New Jersey, which is incorporated herein by reference.

While curing concrete may be water dependent, too much water can interfere with curing. When concrete is freshly poured, the water content thereof may be higher than that which is optimal for proper curing. Thus, some water loss during curing can be useful. However, if water loss during curing is too great, the cured concrete will exhibit reduced strength. Excess drying during curing can lead to surface crack formation.

Maintaining an optimal amount of water in contact with curing concrete optimizes the strength and durability of the concrete. For example, if concrete is kept wet for the first ten days after setting, strength and durability thereof increase 75 percent over ordinary aging at dry surface conditions. Consequently, slowing the rate of evaporative water loss from curing concrete is a widely recognized goal.

Inconsistent coverage on a curing surface, i.e. permitting bubbles or voids to occur between the curing blanket and the curing concrete surface, promotes localized surface weaknesses and discoloration.

A method for controlling excessive drying of curing concrete includes drenching with water the forms and surfaces intended for receiving the fresh concrete prior to pouring, then dampening the curing concrete with frequent sprinklings after pouring.

-3Another method for controlling excessive drying during curing includes, following initial wetting of the surface of freshly poured concrete, such as by applying water as a spray, mist or steam, covering the concrete with a moisture barrier. Typical moisture barriers have included burlap and cotton mats, wet rugs, moist earth or sand, sawdust and other objects likely to act as a moisture barrier. Some of these other objects have included water-proof papers and plastic films.

A further method for controlling excessive drying during curing includes applying a liquid membrane-forming composition. The composition typically contains natural or synthetic waxes or resins and a volatile carrier solvent. The composition forms, after volatilization of the carrier solvent, a moisture barrier that slows the rate of moisture loss from concrete.

Concrete curing blankets exist for covering water-wetted concrete and extending the duration of damp conditions on the curing surface thereof. One blanket is formed of coarse, woven burlap fibers carried by a thermoplastic sheet heat sealed or melted onto the fabric. Burlap blankets pose many problems including exhibiting hydrophillically greasiness, large void areas that promote nonuniform concrete surface wetting, stiffness and non-resiliency that prevents conformity to surface irregularities, and fibers that snag on concrete surfaces, which may lead to undesired markings.

Another curing blanket specifically excludes hydrophillic fibers as being prone to rot and absorb water that should wet the concrete. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,485,137, issued November 27,1984, to R.L. White for Concrete Curing Blanket.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

-4SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of curing concrete comprising:

wetting a target curing concrete surface; and disposing a curing blanket according to the first aspect on the target curing concrete surface;

wherein said disposing comprises:

placing a first portion of the curing blanket on the target curing concrete surface; and placing a second portion of the curing blanket on the target curing concrete surface;

wherein the first portion and the second portion overlap, but are not otherwise connected for curing.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of curing concrete, said method comprising the steps of:

wetting a target curing concrete surface;

disposing a curing blanket on the target curing concrete surface;

roller squeegeeing the curing blanket on the target curing concrete surface.

Advantageously, the invention at least in a preferred form, provides improved elements and arrangements thereof, for the purposes described, which are inexpensive, dependable and effective in accomplishing intended purposes of the invention. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments which refers to the accompanying drawing.

-5BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figures, throughout which similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional detail view of an embodiment of a curing blanket constructed according to principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an environmental perspective view of a method of using the curing blanket of Fig. 1 according to principles of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the method of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4-10 are graphical representations of properties of the curing blanket of Fig. 1; and

Fig, 11 is a cross-sectional detail view of another embodiment of a curing blanket constructed according to principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Fig. 1, an embodiment of a curing blanket 10 constructed according to principles of the invention has a first layer 15 that is airlaid on a second layer 20. Curing blanket 10 maintains an optimal amount of water in contact with an entire surface of curing concrete, which optimizes the strength and durability of the concrete when cured.

As used herein, airlaid refers to a fibrous structure formed primarily by a process involving deposition of air-entrained fibers onto a mat, typically with binder fibers, and typically followed by densification and thermal bonding. In addition to traditional thermally bonded airlaid structures, those formed with non-tacky binder material and substantial thermally bonded, airlaid, according to the present invention, also includes co-form, which is produced by combining air-entrained dry, dispersed cellulosic fibers with meltblown synthetic polymer fibers while the polymer fibers are still tacky. ”Airlaid“ also includes an airformed web to which

-6binder material is added subsequently. Binder may be added to an airformed web in liquid form, e.g., an aqueous solution or a melt, by spray nozzles, direction injection or impregnation, vacuum drawing, foam impregnation, and so forth. Solid binder particles also may be added by mechanical or pneumatic means.

Because airlaid hydrogen bonded materials tend to disintegrate with prolonged exposure to water, airlaid natural fiber mats have not been considered optimal for concrete curing. The invention overcomes this problem by incorporating natural cellulose material with synthetic and multibond fibers in the resultant airlaid structure.

First layer 15 contains bi-component or multibond fibers, fluff pulp, ethylene vinyl acetate and latex. More specifically, first layer 15 includes 5-50%, preferably 30%, synthetic bonding fibers. Synthetic fibers contribute as much as 3.8-4.25%, preferably 4%, by weight. Bi-component and multibond fibers are coaxial fibers having an inner component with a higher melting temperature than an encasing outer component. When heated, the outer component melts for bonding with other elements, while the inner component does not melt, thus lending integrity and strength to the bonded material. The inner and outer components may be selected from polypropylene, polyethylene or other compositions suitable for the purposes described.

First layer 15 also includes 50-89%, preferably 70%, natural cellulose fluffed pulp fiber. The fluff pulp, preferably, is derived from southern softwood, northern softwood, southern hardwood, northern hardwood, kanaf or eucalypus fibers. These materials provide short fibers that offer great surface area for trapping and absorbing water. The fibers derived from protein based, cotton, agave, plant stalk (bast) fibers of other mats tend to be much longer, hence afford less surface area for trapping and absorbing water. These longer fibers also have waxes, resins and some lignin present that discourage entrapping water. These longer fibers are less absorbent and exhibit geometries that are not as favorable as the present cellulose

-7 from soft and/or hardwood fibers. Further, the pulp fibers of the present invention also tend to provide greater tensile strength than the fibers of other mats.

The fluff pulp of first layer 15 is obtained from a Kraft process, rather than mechanical pulping. Mechanical pulping does not produce a clean product, free of the waxes, resins, silicone, turpentine that are present in the virgin materials recited above. Bleached Kraft pulp provides optimal absorption capabilities by producing clean cellulose. The Kraft process produces a bulkier cellulose with a white absorptive component that prevents discoloration of a concrete surface in contact therewith. Discoloration commonly occurred with burlap style materials.

Ethylene vinyl acetate promotes great integrity and reduces dusting.

The latex bonding agent is sprayed on natural fibers or part of the bi-component or multibond fibers aids in strengthening the adhesion among the bicomponent or multibond fibers and other materials in first layer 15. The latex binders may contribute as much as 5-35%, preferably 20%, by weight.

The unique composition of curing blanket 10 enables it to wick moisture from oversaturated areas to dry areas. As edges 35 of curing blanket 10 dry, curing blanket 10 wicks moisture from more hydrated areas to edges 35. Curing blanket equalizes the moisture saturation level therethrough.

Another embodiment of first layer 15 contains 5-20% super absorbent fibers.

Super absorbent fibers are absorbent fibers coated with absorbent material.

First layer 15 is thermally bonded preferably in a basis weight ranging from 40 gsm to 500 gsm with a backing having a laminated, extruded or coated polyethylene or polymer latex material. Ideally, the latex material is a two-part manufactured composition that renders it insoluble in water. The water insolubility discourages disintegration of curing blanket 10 or, more specifically, first layer 15,

-8which would lead to imperfections in the finished surface of a concrete slab. First layer 15, preferably, is spray coated, which lowers production costs.

One part of the latex composition is a high-viscosity polymer filler agent, while the other part is a water resistant agent obtained by polymerization. A binder dispersed in water forms films by fusion of the plastic filler particles as the water evaporates during manufacturing or curing.

First layer 15 and second layer 20 may be bonded with a special water resistant adhesive having a soft point of 210EF.

Second layer 20 may provide a vapor barrier, but not a protection barrier.

To this end, second layer 20 may include an extruded polymer film as an impervious backing.

Alternatively, second layer 20 may provide for vapor and/or fluid transmission. To this end, second layer 20 may include a perforated film, preferably constructed of a polymer or metallic material. The number of perforations in second layer 20 may range from one to 500 per square foot. Each perforation has a diameter ranging from 0.001 mm to 0.1 mm. The perforations may define a pin hole, half moon hole, butterfly hole, full hole or other configuration suited for purposes described herein.

The perforations provide for rewetting curing concrete, where curing blanket

10 is adapted to cure concrete, and vapor transmission, where curing blanket 10 is adapted to absorptive applications.

Perforated embodiments of second layer 20 are especially suited for curing concrete highway constructions, pavements, bridges and the like.

Second layer 20 may be UV enhanced and/or opaque in color.

-9Second layer 20 preferably is clear or transparent. This allows for ready visual perception of water in curing blanket 10 and on a slab surface. This provides owners and contractors tremendous labor savings in tending the curing slab and blanket to ensure that adequate water is present on all portions of a slab to be cured. Workers readily may see and take steps to eliminate bubbles or correct other non-uniformities with respect to contact between curing blanket 10 to the surface of a curing concrete slab, or moisture provided thereby.

Second layer 20 may define a bio-degradable perforated moisture film, having multiple color choices. Second layer 20 may be adapted for pet industry or curing blanket uses. For example, for pet industry applications, vapor transmission is useful for allowing moisture to pass through, while the airlaid structure of first layer 15 retains bulk of pet waste. Such structure extends the use or life of the product.

A target caliper or thickness for curing blanket 10 is 0.5-5.0 mm, preferably

1.80 mm. A target tensile strength for curing blanket 10 is 1295-1350 g/50mm, preferably 1300 g/50mm. A target absorbency for curing blanket 10 is 16.5-18.5 g/g, preferably 17 g/g.

Referring to Fig. 11, another embodiment of a curing blanket 1000 constructed according to principles of the invention has a first layer 1015 that is airlaid on a second layer 1020, similar to first layer 15 and second layer 20 of curing blanket 10. Curing blanket 1000 also has a third layer or cover sheet 1025 disposed on first layer 1015. First layer 1015 and second layer 1020 respectively are constructed similarly to first layer 15 and second layer 20, thus discussed no further.

Third layer 1025 includes a polymer release agent and kraft pulp fiber.

Preferably, third layer 1025 contains about 20% kraft pulp fiber and about 80% polymer bi-component fiber, and has a 0.05-0.254 mm thickness. The fluff pulp, in

-10addition to providing a repository for the release agent, defines a membrane that separates first layer 1015 from a curing concrete surface, for reasons described below. Preferably, the pulp fiber is composed of cellulose, hemicelluyloses and lignin in extractive free form. Preferably, the pulp is derived from southern and northern softwoods and hardwoods, kanaf, eucalypus fibers The pulp retains water and also provides for transmitting fluids to first layer 1015.

Third layer 1025 suits curing blanket 1000 well for roller compacted or pervious concrete. These concrete installations are thinner than and provide less structure than slab concrete installations. For example, these thinner installations often serve as highway edges or parking lot surfaces, where structural requirements may not be as high as for such installations as aircraft landing strips. Similar to concrete or asphalt pavements for highway, parking or similar applications, the structural integrity of roller compacted concrete is highly dependent on the high strength curing of the cement paste that bonds this thin layer together.

Roller compacted concrete involves preparing an anticipated pavement area and pouring concrete similar to other concrete installations. Once the concrete has achieved a desired set, a heavy roller rolls over the slab, increasing the density of the materials composing the concrete, which enhances the hardness and strength of the slab once cured.

The compaction and thinness of the rolled slab promotes dehydration. If unchecked, this increased dehydration can cause cracks to develop, which would weaken and mar the appearance of a resultant cured surface. Accordingly, rolled concrete workers wet and place concrete blankets as soon as possible, preferably within fifteen minutes of rolling. Waiting too long to place the hydrated blankets on the curing slabs would render the curing concrete less able to absorb fluids that otherwise would have promoted proper curing.

-11 To avoid the adverse effects of roller-enhanced dehydration, rolled slabs need curing blankets that retain and provide to the slab a greater amount of water. The unique absorbent properties provided by the airlaid natural fibers of first layer 10 meet this challenge.

Additionally, unlike conventional troweling or smoothing of a slab surface, rolling the slab causes minute peaks or globules to form on the slab surface.

Similar to the mechanics of Velcro®, the peaks can catch or snag fibers of a fibrous curing blanket. The unique loft and release agent provided by third layer 1025 effectively buffers the fibers of first layer 1015 from and discourages snagging by the peaks.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a method of curing concrete according to principles of the invention includes a step 100 of wetting a target curing concrete surface C and a step 105 of disposing curing blanket 10 on target curing concrete surface C with first layer 15 nearest thereto. The method preferably includes a step 110 of re-wetting edges of curing blanket 10 so that water wicks to all areas of curing blanket 10. The method also includes a step 115 of removing curing blanket 10 from target curing concrete surface C after target curing concrete surface C is cured.

In practice, prior to performing step 100 or step 105, a manufacturer ships rolls 25 of curing blanket 10 on pallets (not shown) to a site where concrete is to be poured. On each roll 25, curing blanket 10 has a width 30 defined by edges 35. Each pallet contains approximately twelve rolls 25 that provide approximately 10,000 square feet of coverage. Each roll 25 is encased and protected with shrink wrap (not shown) to minimize exposure to contamination until curing blanket 10 is applied to target curing concrete surface C during the wet cure process. The shrinkwrapping allows curing blanket 10 to be stored outside during construction.

- 12Step 100 involves misting or flooding target curing concrete surface C as specifications require.

After removing the protective shrink wrap (not shown), concrete workers perform step 105 by slowly rolling curing blanket 10 onto target curing concrete surface C. Properly aligning and rolling curing blanket 10 reduces the possibility of forming wrinkles in curing blanket 10 or trapping air thereunder.

Once disposed on target curing concrete surface C, curing blanket 10 becomes saturated with water and increases in weight dramatically. The weight increase allows for rolling out multiple adjacent lengths of curing blanket 10, preferably with an overlap of two to four inches, without having to lap, tape, weigh down or otherwise restrain adjacent edges 35 to maintain uniform, void-free coverage of target curing concrete surface C. Since the airlaid structure of curing blanket 10 is so absorptive and takes longer to dry out, moisture, hence weight, dissipate slower, further eliminating the need to restrain edges 35.

For best results, water should be allowed to pond in front of roll 25 as it is rolled along target curing concrete surface C.

In the unlikely event a wrinkle (not shown) occurs in curing blanket 10 during application, the method may include a step 120 of eliminating a wrinkle in curing blanket 10, which would be performed between step 105 and step 110. Step 120 involves cutting curing blanket 10 across width 30 of the affected area with a razor. Three- to four-foot sections on each side of the wrinkled area are peeled away then reapplied to target curing concrete surface C by gently, simultaneously stretching and lowering the sections back onto the wet cure surface.

Because curing blanket 10 absorbs and retains significant amounts of water, curing blanket 10 adheres to target curing concrete surface C like no other curing

-13blanket and insures a more complete, uniform wet cure and surface appearance that other curing blankets.

In the unlikely event a bubble (not shown) forms under curing blanket 10 after application, the method may include a step 125 of eliminating an entrapped bubble. Step 125 involves applying a roller squeegee or a wide soft bristle pushsqueegee to guide the bubble (not shown) to the nearest unlapped edge 35. Squeegee roller application ensures 100% contact between curing blanket 10 and target curing concrete surface C. Removing entrapped bubbles in this manner is preferred for slab on grade/tilt up construction projects.

Step 110, preferably, involves gently spraying water around edges 35 of curing blanket 10 in an amount sufficient for curing blanket 10 to wick water to all areas thereof and providing 100 percent humidity to target curing concrete surface C, as recommended for a wet curing application.

Step 115 involves folding curing blanket 10 back onto itself in three- to four-foot sections until an entire curing blanket section is folded. The foregoing is repeated until all of curing blanket 10 disposed on target curing concrete surface C is folded into a removable condition. As curing blanket 10 is intended for one-time use, once removed, folded curing blanket 10 should be disposed of properly.

Embodiments of curing blanket 10 have been tested extensively. Samples of curing blanket 10 measured approximately 8 by 12 inches and had a 1.0 mm/ply thickness.

Table 1 summarizes results of a water vapor transmission and permeance test performed on some embodiments of curing blanket 10 in general accordance with ASTM E96-00, Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of

Materials using the water method. Figs. 4-7 show the portion of data used to calculate results. Figs. 4 and 5 pertain to test samples oriented such that first layer

-1415 was vertically superior to second layer 15, defining a fibers up position, and Figs. 6 and 7 pertain to test samples oriented such that second layer 15 was vertically superior to first layer 15, defining a fibers down position.

Table 1. Water Vapor Transmission and Permeance Data

<td rowspan="3"> Specimen identification and orientation</td><td colspan="4"> Water vapor transmission</td><td colspan="2"> Permeance</td>

<td colspan="2"> SI units (grams/h»sq m)</td><td colspan="2"> Inch-pound units grains/h»sq ft</td><td colspan="2"> perm (grains/h«sq ft»in. Hg)</td>

<td></td><td> average</td><td></td><td> average</td><td></td><td> average</td>

<td> Specimen 1 fibers up</td><td> 0.040</td><td rowspan="2"> 0.040</td><td> 0.057</td><td rowspan="2"> 0.057</td><td> 0.14</td><td rowspan="2"> 0.14</td>

<td> Specimen 2 fibers up</td><td> 0.040</td><td> 0.057</td><td> 0.14</td>

<td> Specimen 3 fibers down</td><td> 0.042</td><td rowspan="2"> 0.037</td><td> 0.060</td><td rowspan="2"> 0.053</td><td> 0.14</td><td rowspan="2"> 0.13</td>

<td> Specimen 4 fibers down</td><td> 0.032</td><td> 0.046</td><td> 0.11</td>

<td> Average</td><td colspan="2"> 0.040</td><td colspan="2"> 0.058</td><td colspan="2"> 0.13</td>

For this test, sample material was cut into four 52 mm diameter circles and placed on anodized aluminum permeability cups manufactured by Sheen

Instruments Ltd. Two specimens were placed in the fibers up position and two in the fibers down position. The specimens were allowed to equilibrate for seven days in a test room maintained at 73±0.60°C and 50±2% relative humidity (RH). The specimens then were sealed in the permeability cups over 6 mL reagent water (ASTM D1193 Type IV). A non-volatile, proprietary sealant was used to create a leak-free seal between the film and the cup faying surfaces. The specimens remained in the test room at 73±0.60°C and 50±2% RH and were weighed in the room twice per week. The specimens were weighed until the weight change versus time was constant per ASTM E96. The referenced material meets the performance requirement for water vapor transmission rate of no more than 10 grams/m² in 24 hours (0.42 grams/hm²) in ASTM C 171-03, Standard Specification for Sheet Materials for Curing Concrete.

-15Results for Specimens 1 through 3 were similar, as shown on Figs. 4-6. Specimen 4, as shown on Fig. 7, developed a visible biological growth on the fiber side mid-way through the testing. Specimen 4 has lower water vapor transmission. The accuracy of the balance is 0.01 grams, therefore all data points fall on the horizontal grid lines.

Another test measured the water retention of curing blanket 10 in accordance with ASTM C156-98, Standard Test Method for Water Retention by Concrete Curing Materials. The test involved a composition of mortar containing by weight: 2,660 g concrete; 6,500 g standard sand; and 1,064 mL water to produce flow 35±5. The flow was 35.5% and water-to-concrete ratio was 0.4.

Curing blanket 10 met the performance requirement for water loss of no more than 0.55 kg/sq m in 72 hours per ASTM C171-97a, Standard Specification for Sheet Materials for Curing Concrete.

The specific composition of curing blanket 10 provides a thickness, MD dry tensile strength, CD dry tensile strength, CD wet tensile strength, absorbency rate, capacity, brightness, and caliper that allow curing blanket 10 to lay completely flat on, provide increased surface-to-surface contact with, and promote desired, consistent coloration of curing concrete. MD dry tensile strength refers to the tensile strength of a dry sample in the direction of the fibers. CD dry tensile strength refers to the tensile strength of a dry sample transversely to the direction of fibers. CD wet tensile strength refers to the tensile strength of a wet sample transversely to the direction of fibers. Concrete cured with curing blanket 10 are free of localized weaknesses and discolorations caused by bubbles or other contact discontinuities between the curing surface and a curing blanket. Further, increased weight from absorption causes the saturated blanket to remain in place longer and require less attention.

-16Figs. 8-10 graphically describe, respectively, specific absorption, fluid capacity and tensile strength of various configurations of curing blanket 10. Materials exhibit two different tensile strengths: (1) yield, which is equivalent to the maximum amount of tensile stress the material can withstand yielding or stretching:

and (2) failure, which is equivalent to the stress required to achieve material failure or tearing. Table 2, below, presents data averaged from three tests of various configurations of curing blanket 10.

<img file="NZ554339A_D0001.tif" />

<img file="NZ554339A_D0002.tif" />

Table 2. Preliminary Test Data

<td> Capacity Retention Index</td><td> 1.02</td><td> 99Ό</td><td> 0.39</td><td> 03</td><td> £</td><td> 1.04</td><td> 0.12</td>

<td> Capacity Retention</td><td> 4.01</td><td> Tt-</td><td> 2.21</td><td> 6.49</td><td> 9.76</td><td> 7.54</td><td> I 1.34</td>

<td> Capacity Index (a/a)</td><td> 2.38</td><td> 1.84</td><td> 690</td><td> 4.03</td><td> 3.7</td><td> 2.59</td><td> 1.58</td>

<td> Capacity (a)</td><td> 9.34</td><td> 8.54</td><td> 3.88</td><td> 21.99 :</td><td> 21.04 .</td><td> 18.72</td><td> 17.36</td>

<td> % Elongation</td><td> 11.64</td><td> 10.45</td><td> 8.65</td><td> 12.54</td><td> CM Τ’</td><td> 10.55</td><td> i 64.06</td>

<td> Tensile Index</td><td> 0.57</td><td> 0.57</td><td> 0.6</td><td> 0.42</td><td> 0.44</td><td> 0.53</td><td> ! 1.59</td>

<td> Tensile (N/5cm)</td><td> CM to</td><td> CO h*</td><td> 95</td><td> 64</td><td> 69</td><td> 106</td><td> i 485</td>

<td> Burst Index (kPa m2/g)</td><td> 1.19</td><td> CM</td><td> CM Τ’</td><td> 1.63</td><td> CO</td><td> CO Τ’</td><td> 5.82</td>

<td> Pulp Down Mullen (kPa)</td><td> 130</td><td> Tf m</td><td> QO CO T™</td><td> 246</td><td> 207</td><td> 260</td><td> 1772</td>

<td> Q. S S O s §= «J a- o 2</td><td> 18.8</td><td> 22.4</td><td> 27.3</td><td> r&gt;- CQ</td><td> o co</td><td> 37.7</td><td> 257.2</td>

<td> Pulp Up Mullen (kPa)</td><td> o</td><td> 5</td><td> 178</td><td> 193</td><td> 166</td><td> 209</td><td> 1636</td>

<td> Pulp Up Mullen (psi) „</td><td> co V”</td><td> I 20.5</td><td> 25.8</td><td> 28</td><td> 24.1</td><td> 30.3</td><td> 237.5</td>

<td> Caliper (mm)</td><td> 0.389</td><td> 0.398</td><td> 0.296</td><td> 0.808</td><td> 0.79</td><td> 0.718</td><td> 1.646 i</td>

<td> .23 . “P* (Λ C (B &lt; W ω ^s S</td><td> 109</td><td> 05 CM</td><td> 157</td><td> 5&gt;</td><td> 158</td><td> -, 201</td><td> 305</td>

<td> Sample Type</td><td> 60gsm pulp sheet @30# poly</td><td> 60gsm pulp sheet @45# poly</td><td> Φ E « £ Si o- S s a © a</td><td> 100gsm pulp sheet @30# poly</td><td> 03 _c a&gt; I» $ o □. '«t &gt;. ? a © a</td><td> μ Φ c ^φ C £ -K. W w g § Q. S X 5 a © a</td><td> — *3 CO , § * = C &gt; m Ο Ο ο Έ n Z 5 Q. Q. 8</td>

-18The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, rather only to the following claims.