Fractal Dimension Analysis of Surface Roughness for Paper and Paperboard

Fractal geometry is characterized by its similarity and hierarchical organization. It exhibits a hierarchical structure composed of elements that share the same shape but vary in size, ranging from the largest to the smallest. In this study, the fractal-dimension values of a paper and paperboard were calculated, which reveal distinct properties of fractal dimensions in contrast to Euclidean geometry. The variogram method was employed to characterize the surface roughness profiles using fractal-dimension analysis to obtain the fractal dimensions of paper products. A decrease in the fractal-dimension value was observed following the coating process. These findings imply the promising applicability of fractal-dimension analysis for evaluating the effects of postprocessing techniques, including printing, coating, creping, and embossing. © 2023 Korean Technical Assoc. of the Pulp and Paper Industry. All rights reserved.