Some papers, which are not intended to be sized, such as blotting and filter-papers, are made with the addition of starch only, this being used to bind the fibres together to some extent. The presence of the starch does not prevent the paper from being absorbent. Papers which are intended to be tub-sized only are usually made up with a small quantity of starch, and are sometimes sized to a small extent with rosin also. The addition of a certain amount of ordinary soap to the rosin soap is said to give good results; it enables the paper to take a higher finish when calendered. Sizing with animal size (gelatine), or Tub-sizing as it is called, will be described in Chapter X.
The mixture of size and starch may be added directly to the engine, or it may be previously dissolved in water; the latter method is perhaps preferable. After allowing it to mix thoroughly with the pulp, a solution of alum is run in. It is made up with boiling water in either lead or copper tanks. Iron or zinc vessels must be avoided, as the solution acts rapidly on these metals.
Alum consists of a double sulphate of aluminium and potassium or ammonium, Al_{ 2}3 SO_{ 4}, K_{ 2}SO_{ 4} + 24 H_{ 2}O; its function being to form with the rosin acids insoluble soaps which are precipitated in intimate mixture with the pulp, the sulphate of potash taking no part in the reaction. The choice of a suitable alum is a matter of very great importance; it should be free from excess of sulphuric acid and from iron. The former is deleterious on account of its action upon the colouring matter used to tone the paper, some colours being completely discharged by it; and because { 140} of its effect upon any metal work with which it may come in contact, especially upon the brass wire-cloth on which the paper is made. The iron is objectionable as it forms a dark red precipitate of oxide of iron.
Alum as supplied by makers of repute is generally sufficiently pure for even the best classes of paper.
Many years ago a substitute for alum was introduced, called Pochin’s aluminous cake. It consisted principally of sulphate of alumina Al_{ 2}3 SO_{ 4}, and was, provided it was pure, as suitable for the papermaker as the more expensive potash alum. It was more economical at equal price, as it contained about 14 per cent. of alumina, whereas potash alum, even if absolutely pure, could only contain 10·85 per cent. Pochin’s aluminous cake however, was liable to contain a considerable amount of free sulphuric acid and soluble sulphate of iron. Of late years, a number of different varieties of sulphates of alumina have been introduced into commerce, of so pure a nature, and at such a low price, that it is a matter of wonder that they have not entirely superseded the more expensive alum. They are prepared either from very pure native alumina (bauxite), or from China clay of good quality. Methods have been discovered of eliminating almost the whole of the iron and free sulphuric acid. The following analyses of different specimens sufficiently indicate their purity.[12]