Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant
I can't find any reference to the use of pumice (which is mostly silicon dioxide) in papermaking. I would have expected to find a mention in this article at least. And it would be very surprising if it was used in paper but not mentioned here.
But talc (magnesium silicate) is certainly added. Did you mean talc? |
I took a papermaking course sometime in the 1960s, I think. Or maybe the early 70s. That's when I learned about this. I remember them saying pumice but maybe I remember it wrong. I'm not sure.
I just did a bit of googling about this and I can't find any reference to pumice in paper so I'm not sure if the problem is with my memory or of I'm just out of date. Probably the former since if papermaking had simply changed I'd probably have found reference to that.
There are still some things I'm sure of. Toilet paper doesn't scratch my glasses. I've been using my current bifocals (reading and computer lenses) for about 6 or 7 years and they get cleaned at least once a week with toilet paper, the rest of the time with water and a microfiber cloth. They're still just fine. My trifocals are at least 12 or 13 years old and are still clear as can be. They don't get used as much or washed as much though.
As a whittler I often used Kleenex for the final smoothing on my carvings and I had to be careful not to overdo it because there was the risk of changing the shape. It's very rough stuff.
Also, another fact I picked up in that papermaking course which has proven itself true over the decades: if you get a cold and use Kleenex your nose gets red and sore. Use toilet paper and it doesn't.
So right or wrong (probably wrong) the thrust of what I said is probably still valid.
Barry