THE APPLICATION OF IMAGE PROCESS TECHNIQUE ON ANALYZING PAPER Z-DIRECTION STRUCTURE

The Z-direction structure of paper was observed with scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and then the scanned images were processed quantitatively using Image-Pro plus 5.0 (a kind of image analysis software). According to the different color depth of fibers, pores and filler contained in the scanned image, the computer image analysis technique can analyze the distribution characteristics of fibers, pores and filler in the light of segmentation and padding. The image analysis technique can accurately measure length and width of the fibers and fines distributed in different depth cross Z-direction of the paper. In addition, the technique can detect the pore size, pore distribution, pore amount and area ratio in different layer cross Z-directions of paper accurately. Meanwhile, the technique can also be used to analyze the paper filler distribution features across Z-direction of paper, such as number and size of the filler particles, filler content and density in different layers across Z-direction of paper. The above- mentioned paper structure image analysis technique can accurately and objectively reflect the paper Z-direction structure and the distribution of various paper components, provide an effective method of research on how the paper Z-direction structure and composition affect paper sheet performance.