Linking paper structure to tensile deformation and fracture initiation

Meso-scale variations in structural properties largely define the tensile deformation distribution within paper. In order to study this relationship comprehensively, a procedure for correlating various structural properties, e.g. basis weight, fiber orientation and density, to tensile deformation (strain and damage) behavior in a meso-scale was implemented. The procedure was demonstrated by linking tensile deformation distribution, i.e. strain and temperature increase (damage) maps, to basis weight distribution. It was seen that the fracture initiated at the region with low basis weight surrounded by high basis weight regions in the stretching direction. However, the basis weight distribution only partly explains the distribution of deformation. Thus, other meso-scale structural properties will be also included to the procedure.