abstract |
Inexpensive spindle- or needle-like calcium carbonate giving useful properties for bulk, brightness, opacity, wire abrasion resistance and yield as a paper filler is provided by taking advantage of the causticization step. In a first step, a quick lime having a calcium carbonate content of 10% by weight or less is slaked with a liquor having a pH of 5.5 to 13.5 at a concentration of 20 to 60% to prepare a milk of lime. In a second step, causticization reaction takes place at a green liquor loading rate of 0.02 to 0.5 cc (green liquor)/min/g (quick lime) at a reaction temperature of 20 to 105° C. to afford spindle- or needle-like calcium carbonate. |