Paper Fiber Stains

Reliable stains based on the chemistry developed at the Institute of Paper Science and Technology

Introduction:

Some number of years ago, at the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) when it was located in Appleton, WI (USA), a team of paper chemists worked to develope a series of paper fiber stains that could be used throughout the paper industry on a global basis, so that no matter who was doing the testing, and no matter what far flung corner of the world they were located, everyone, if given the same paper sample, would get the same result. And it was at this point that the IPST first started offering on a commercial basis, but only to its member firms, these unique and highly reliable and useful paper fiber stains.

With the passing of time, the IPST re-located to Atlanta, GA (USA) and as the mission for the IPST seemed to change, it was decided that they would continue the manufacturing, but SPI Supplies was designated as the worldwide distributor for these well known and respected paper fiber stains. However, in mid-2003, it was announced that the IPST was combining with Georgia Institute of Technology and now that it was part of a university campus, it could no longer continue the manufacturing of this family of stains. These stains are no longer manufactured by the IPST.

Fortunately, SPI Supplies has an outstanding relationship with the original chemist who first set up the manufacturing of the stains in Appleton and SPI has also had the privilege of maintaining the same kind of relationship with one of the paper chemists who did some of the last manufacturing at the IPST in Atlanta. SPI Supplies will continue to offer the same family of paper fiber stains as it has done for the past years. They are being produced for SPI Supplies by that original chemist who created the chemistry of the stains in the first place. We are convinced that the paper fiber products will have the same quality and reliability as the stain had when they were produced at the IPST.

But in the interests of honesty to our customers, we want to make clear that what is being offered no longer is product that was actually made by (and under the roof of) the IPST and which was quality checked by employees of IPST. The product being offered is being manufactured by the original chemist who created the stains in the first place and who no longer has any official relationship with the IPST. The new batches of stains are "plug in compatible" with all procedures and test methods as were being used previously. SPI Supplies is confident that our customers for these stains will see no difference in the performance of these stains from what they had previously experienced.

Fiber stains provide contrast and aid in the identification of pulp and paper fibers by light microscopy. The most widely used is the Graff "C" stain, developed at the Institute in the 1930's. Stain applications include differentiating chemical pulps from groundwood, and bleached from unbleached fibers. They can be used with most natural cellulose fibers, including cotton.

Available stains:

Graff "C" Stain
Green & Yorston (Azo) Stain
Herzberg (Zinc Chloro-Iodide) Stain
Phloroglucinol Stain
Selleger's Stain

Application:
Stain use is described in TAPPI Test Method T401, available from the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (www.tappi.org). Stain use is also described in ASTM D1030-95(1999), available from the American Society for Testing and Materials (www.astm.org).

Expiration/Shelf Life:
A Certificate of Analysis, is included with each order without additional charge, indicating that the respective stain was tested and performed as expected. The certificate indicates the expiration date, which is 6 months from manufacture. If the bottles are closed and kept in a dark place, they have been found to work considerably longer, but the performance guarantee is only for the first six months.

Packaging:
All paper stain products are packaged in 30 ml bottles.

Listing of available stains:

Graff "C" Stain
For general fiber analysis, "C" stain is the most widely applicable of the stains in this group. It is used to differentiate pulp types, and its reaction varies with cooking and bleaching degree. "C" stain can also be applied to non-wood fibers like cotton (rag) and bagasse. The "C" stain color chart or TAPPI Test Method T401 can be used as a general guide for color reaction.

Further comment about Graff C stain:
The Graff C stain test was not designed to provide quantitative lignin information in pulp. It only differentiates mechanical pulp vs. chemical pulp (e.g. Kraft, sulfite) using a color chart. This method is described in TAPPI T401 om-93. Kappa number of pulp (TAPPI T236cm-85) and acid-insoluble lignin in wood and pulp (TAPPI T222 om-88) methods can be applied to determine lignin content.

Transportation information:
UN # 3264
Class 8 Corrosive
Packing Group III

				SPI #	Each		10+, Each		In Stock
			30ml	02510-AB	$ 61.20		$ 55.08		Yes

Storage Conditions: Room temperature and in darkness for maximum shelf-life.
Hazardous from the stand point of shipping.

Green & Yorston (Azo) Stain
This stain has been used for the detection of unbleached softwood sulfite pulp.

Important Note:
Because of the difficulty in procuring a particular ingredient to the formulation, we are temporarily unable to supply this product. However, we have left the listing up on the website because of our belief that we will be able to offer it again in the future. Unfortunately, because of the complexities of obtaining this key ingredient, we can not give a firm date as to when we will be able to resume shipments.

Transportation information:
UN # 2790
Class 8 Corrosive
Packing Group II

				SPI #	Each		10+, Each		In Stock
			30ml	02511-AB	$ 77.00		$ 69.30		No

Storage Conditions: Room temperature and in darkness for maximum shelf-life.
Hazardous from the stand point of shipping.

Herzberg (Zinc chloro-iodide) Stain
This stain has been used to identify rag, chemical pulp, groundwood, and Jute/abaca.

Transportation information:
UN # 1840
Class 8 Corrosive
Packing Group III

				SPI #	Each		10+, Each		In Stock
			30ml	02512-AB	$ 77.00		$ 69.30		Yes

Storage Conditions: Room temperature and in darkness for maximum shelf-life.
Hazardous from the stand point of shipping.

Phloroglucinol Stain
This stain has been used to detect mechanical pulps due to their high lignin content. It can be used as a spot test without a microscope, but microscopic analysis is more reliable.

Solvent system:
The stain is a solution in methyl alcohol.

Transportation information:
UN # 2920
Class 8 Corrosive
Packing Group II

				SPI #	Each		10+, Each		In Stock
			30ml	02513-AB	$ 77.00		$ 69.30		Yes

Storage Conditions: Room temperature and in darkness for maximum shelf-life.
Hazardous from the stand point of shipping.

Selleger's Stain
Colors are more red then with Graff "C" or Herzberg. The most common use of this stain has been to differentiate bleached sulfite from bleached Kraft softwoods. Note: Because of the long manufacturing time of this product, should we be out of stock when an order is placed, the waiting time could be as long as three weeks.

Transportation information:
UN # 1454
Class 5.1 Oxidizer
Packing Group III

				SPI #	Each		10+, Each		In Stock
			30ml	02514-AB	$ 77.00		$ 69.30		No

Storage Conditions: Room temperature and in darkness for maximum shelf-life.
Hazardous from the stand point of shipping.

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