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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 February 2011
The properties of coatings have been studied on a theoretical level using model systems of spherical polymeric pigments applied to a mylar substrate. Using binderless coatings, the expected void filling, gloss and light scattering relationships to particle size and polydispersity were observed. The addition of binders to the coatings yields results which depart from those expected and observed without binders. These results have led to two seemingly opposed views that the binder either coats the pigment and causes expansion of the structure or fills the voids without greatly effecting the pigment structure. Pigment blends were selected which were expected to show a difference between the two conflicting theories, and starch and latex binders added. The data obtained failed to favor one theory over the other, indicating that both are probably operative. Greater decreases in gloss were observed with the polymeric pigments, probably due to an undesirable interaction between the pigments and binders causing agglomeration of the coating materials and severe disruption of the coated surface. The data obtained is reviewed in light of the “real world” behavior of paper coatings to examine reasons why the theoretical contributions of pigments and binders are not often observed.