ASTM D5909-20

Standard Test Method for Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene Resistance

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Inadequate setting or drying of sheetfed inks, or both, can cause blocking of stacked prints with subsequent loss of product. “Setting” of an ink refers to the rapid rise in viscosity of the printed ink film, sometimes accompanied by surface drying, that prevents transference of the undried ink film to adjacent surfaces under light pressure. “Setting” is a property of the ink-substrate combination. Inadequate drying may be due to several factors, but the primary causes are: (1) omission of metallic driers from the ink, improper ink formulation (2) unusual ink-substrate interactions, and (3) use of a fountain solution that is too acidic. If the test prints are made on a standard laboratory proof press, where there is no application of fountain solution, then only the first three possible causes can be evaluated. If the prints have been made on a commercial production printing press or some other acceptable means of introducing the fountain solution into the ink agreed upon, then the effect of fountain solution can be determined. It will often be necessary to run several tests to isolate the specific cause of a drying problem.  
5.2 This test method is suitable for most combinations of oxidative drying inks and substrates. Because this test method relies on a visual assessment of the extent of drying, very light colors and clear varnishes may present difficulties in quantifying the extent of drying. In such cases, the supplier and the customer should agree upon an alternative method of assessing the drying properties of the ink.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the drying time of oxidative-drying printing inks (also referred to as “sheetfed inks”) by squalene resistance of printed ink films.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to all paste inks that dry primarily by oxidation regardless of the substrate on which they are printed. With appropriate changes in the test fluid, it may also be used with paste inks that dry by other mechanisms, such as heatset or ultraviolet light.  
1.3 This test method utilizes a modified rub tester and is intended to serve as a “referee” procedure when laboratories, using less rigorous test procedures (see Appendix X1), cannot agree on their results.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2020
• ICS: 87.080 - Inks. Printing inks
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.56 - Printing Inks

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5909-96a(2011) - Standard Test Method for Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene Resistance (Withdrawn 2020)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5264-98(2019) - Standard Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4332-13 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2013
• Refers: ASTM D5264-98(2011) - Standard Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01(2006) - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01e1 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4332-99 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01e2 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4332-00 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D5264-98 - Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1998
• Refers: ASTM D5264-98(2004) - Standard Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D7188-05(2019) - Standard Terminology for Printing Inks, Materials, and Processes
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020

Overview

ASTM D5909-20 is the standard test method established by ASTM International for determining the drying time of oxidative-drying printing inks-commonly referred to as “sheetfed inks”-using squalene resistance. This method plays a crucial role in the printing industry, as inadequate ink setting or drying can lead to print stacking issues, blocking, and significant product loss. The test procedure is designed to offer objective, repeatable, and referee-level results by quantifying the resistance of printed ink films to squalene, an organic compound that mimics the action of skin oil.

Key Topics

• Purpose and Scope

  • Measures the drying time of oxidative-drying (sheetfed) inks based on their resistance to squalene.
  • Applicable to all paste inks drying primarily by oxidation, regardless of substrate.
  • Can be adapted for other paste inks (e.g., heatset or UV inks) with suitable test fluid adjustments.
  • Serves as a referee method for inter-laboratory comparisons.

• Significance of Drying and Setting

  • Proper ink drying is critical to prevent transfer and blocking in stacked prints.
  • Key drying issues may arise from issues such as:
    • Ink formulation (e.g., missing metallic driers)
    • Ink-substrate interactions
    • Use of overly acidic fountain solutions

• Testing Procedure Highlights

  • Utilizes a modified rub tester with a weight covered by a towel saturated with squalene oil.
  • Test prints are subjected to repeated strokes; ink transfer is visually or instrumentally assessed.
  • Results are reported based on when no visible effect is observed or when a defined reflectance value is reached.

• Precision and Limitations

  • Highly operator-independent compared to manual methods, ensuring consistent results.
  • Light-colored inks or clear varnishes may require alternative evaluation methods.

Applications

ASTM D5909-20 has practical value for a wide range of stakeholders across the printing and packaging industries:

• Printing Ink Manufacturers

  • Ensures inks meet specified oxidative drying requirements before market release.
  • Benchmarks new formulations and quality control batches.

• Printers and Print Service Providers

  • Verifies ink performance when introducing new substrates or changing production parameters.
  • Offers evidence of compliance with print quality and process reliability standards.

• Quality Control and R&D Laboratories

  • Serves as a referee test to settle disputes between client and supplier when other testing methods yield inconsistent results.
  • Helps isolate causes of drying issues, such as formulation errors or substrate incompatibilities.

• Packaging Converters

  • Critical for applications where print blocking or stackability directly impacts product usability and safety.

Related Standards

Several ASTM standards are frequently referenced or used in conjunction with ASTM D5909-20 to ensure comprehensive evaluation and robust quality control:

• ASTM D5264 - Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester
• ASTM D4332 - Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing

These standards together support a consistent approach to ink drying, abrasion resistance, and environmental conditioning in the context of printed materials.

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By following ASTM D5909-20, organizations can reliably assess and report the drying performance of oxidative-drying printing inks. Implementing this test method reduces risk of print defects, supports supplier-customer agreement, and underpins quality assurance in the competitive printing sector.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5909 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene
Resistance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5909; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
D5264 Practice forAbrasion Resistance of Printed Materials
the drying time of oxidative-drying printing inks (also referred
by the Sutherland Rub Tester
to as “sheetfed inks”) by squalene resistance of printed ink
films.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method is applicable to all paste inks that dry
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
primarily by oxidation regardless of the substrate on which
3.1.1 blanket, n—a composite structure, normally a rubber-
they are printed. With appropriate changes in the test fluid, it
like layer supported by one or more fabric or foam layers, or
mayalsobeusedwithpasteinksthatdrybyothermechanisms,
both.
such as heatset or ultraviolet light.
3.1.2 squalene oil, n—anorganicliquid(C H unsaturated
30 50
1.3 This test method utilizes a modified rub tester and is
aliphatic hydrocarbon) that imitates the action of skin oil.
intended to serve as a “referee” procedure when laboratories,
3.1.3 Discussion—Squalene dissolves vehicle components
using less rigorous test procedures (see Appendix X1), cannot
in a typical oxidative-drying ink system but not when fully
agree on their results.
polymerized.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
4. Summary of Test Method
only.
4.1 The test print is affixed to the base of the rub tester. The
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
removable one-half pound weight of the instrument is fitted
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
with a piece of rubber blanket and covered with an absorbent
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
towel to which a small amount of squalene oil has been added.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
The weighted, oil-impregnated towel is allowed to rub back
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and forth over the test print for a prescribed number of cycles.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2 The receptor towel is examined for evidence of ink
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the transfer from the print. Results may be related qualitatively to
an agreed upon standard, or, the intensity of the stain can be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
measuredquantitativelywithacolorimeter,spectrophotometer,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
or other reflectance type device.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 Inadequate setting or drying of sheetfed inks, or both,
can cause blocking of stacked prints with subsequent loss of
1 product. “Setting” of an ink refers to the rapid rise in viscosity
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
of the printed ink film, sometimes accompanied by surface
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
drying, that prevents transference of the undried ink film to
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally
adjacent surfaces under light pressure. “Setting” is a property
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D5909 – 96a (2011)
of the ink-substrate combination. Inadequate drying may be
which was withdrawn January 2020 and reinstated in June 2020. DOI: 10.1520/
D5909-20.
due to several factors, but the primary causes are: (1) omission
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of metallic driers from the ink, improper ink formulation (2)
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
unusual ink-substrate interactions, and (3) use of a fountain
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. solution that is too acidic. If the test prints are made on a
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5909 − 20
standard laboratory proof press, where there is no application 9.2 Remove the rubber pad from the lower surface of the
of fountain solution, then only the first three possible causes instrument. Replace with a glass plate of comparable size.
canbeevaluated.Iftheprintshavebeenmadeonacommercial
9.3 In order to facilitate proper placement of the test
production printing press or some other acceptable means of
specimen, determine where the center stroke occurs and scribe,
introducingthefountainsolutionintotheinkagreedupon,then
or otherwise indicate, a line on the glass plate. Similarly, scribe
the effect of fountain solution can be determined. It will often
lines to facilitate placement of the specimen in the left-to-right
be necessary to run several tests to isolate the specific cause of
direction.
a drying problem.
5.2 This test method is suitable for most combinations of
10. Procedure
oxidative drying inks and substrates. Because this test method
10.1 Using the manufacturer’s instructions, ink up the
relies on a visual assessment of the extent of drying, very light
laboratory printing apparatus and pull a print on the agreed
colors and clear varnishes may present difficulties in quantify-
upon substrate. Measure the optical density. If not within
ing the extent of drying. In such cases, the supplier and the
60.05 of the desired value, discard and apply more or less ink
customer should agree upon an alternative method of assessing
to the print maker. Prepare a sufficient number of prints so that,
the drying properties of the ink.
after cutting, there will be a minimum of six specimens each
about 47 by 115 mm. Record the time of printing on each
6. Apparatus
specimen.
6.1 Rub Tester, conforming to Test Method D5264 but
equipped with a special one-half pound weight and modified as
NOTE 1—The wide rubber disk of the bench type print tester produces
in Section 9. a printed strip 47-mm wide and 230-mm long; by cutting in half
cross-wise, tw
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