The Strength and Compressive Strength of Paper Straws
Paper straws are often made from three layers of paper, with an outer layer made of 60gsm. However, the process can be customized to suit a customer's specifications. The first step in producing paper straws is choosing the paper and adhesive. These two characteristics have a fundamental impact on how the straw performs.
Paper straws are strong, but not flexible. Under humid conditions, paper straws lose up to 80% of their compressive strength in 30 minutes, and in some cases up to 90%.
Using a contact angle analyzer is a common way to measure the hydrophobicity of a paper straw compared to a plastic straw. A high contact angle is a sign of a hydrophobic surface. The larger the angle, the more hydrophobic the straw. Similarly, a low contact angle means a paper straw absorbs more liquid.
Paper straws can impart a cardboard-like taste to your drink. This means they can't impart a rich taste to your beverage. In addition to the paper-like taste, many people also notice a chemical taste in their drink. So, while paper straws can be a great alternative to plastic straws, they are not a satisfactory substitute.