Abstract

Big rollers are used in the paper manufacturing industry, they are composed of layers of different materials (metallic core, polyurethane and composite with epoxy resin between others). The company TECNOCAUCHO is dedicated to the manufacturing of these rollers and towether with AIMPLAS have modified two epoxy resins that are used in two rollers (guide and calendering). In both cases the epoxy resin layer was the weak point of the rollers, consequently the mechanic properties of the resin were improved in order to extend the useful life of each roller and also the conductivity of the guide roller and the roughness and brightness of the calendering roller were improved. Currently, a epoxy resin with the improved properties achieved in this paper is not available on the market.

Guide roller: mechanic properties of the epoxy resin were improved 7,7% compared to original comercial resin through nanofiller addition. Besides, resistivity values below 100 Ωm (company´s target value) were achieved, minimizing the sparks generation.

Calendering roller: mechanic properties were improved to 18,6% (tensile strenght at 130ºC), brightness and roughness (Rz below to 0,2 microns, company´s target value) through nanofillers addition, improving significantly the superficial properties of the paper.