ASTM D6336-11(2021)

Standard Practice for Evaluation of Flushing Vehicles for Pigment Wetting Using a Vacuum Modified Sigma Blade Mixer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 By following this practice it is possible to make reproducible flushes when using the same raw materials. Therefore, if someone wishes to evaluate the effect a different raw material has on a flush, it is possible to evaluate this effect by noting the change that occurs from a control flush to the experimental flush. This change can be, but is not limited to; such things as strength after vacuum, grind, grit, gloss etc. This practice can be used by ink companies, pigment companies or varnish companies. This practice is not meant to give absolute values but is meant to be used as a relative practice in which a control flush is made using a standard formula and the experimental flush is compared to the control flush. This practice is not meant to determine the absolute performance of a formula in production. Again it can be used to give a relative idea of how a formula will perform in production when a correlation has been established between laboratory flushing and production flushing.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers guidelines for the evaluations of flushing vehicles for pigment dispersion using a vacuum modified sigma blade mixer, or vacuum flusher.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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-Oct-2021
• ICS: 43.160 - Special purpose vehicles
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.37 - Ink Vehicles

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D2066-07(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Relative Tinting Strength of Paste-Type Printing Ink Dispersions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1316-20 - Standard Test Method for Fineness of Grind of Printing Inks By the NPIRI Grindometer
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D2067-97(2020) - Standard Test Method for Coarse Particles in Printing Ink Dispersions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4040-10(2019) - Standard Test Method for Rheological Properties of Paste Printing and Vehicles by the Falling-Rod Viscometer
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM D2067-97(2013) - Standard Test Method for Coarse Particles in Printing Ink Dispersions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D280-01(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D2066-07(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Relative Tinting Strength of Paste-Type Printing Ink Dispersions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1316-06(2011) - Standard Test Method for Fineness of Grind of Printing Inks By the NPIRI Grindometer (Withdrawn 2020)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D4361-10 - Standard Test Method for Apparent Tack of Printing Inks and Vehicles by a Three-Roller Tackmeter (Withdrawn 2019)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM D4040-10 - Standard Test Method for Rheological Properties of Paste Printing and Vehicles by the Falling-Rod Viscometer
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2010
• Refers: ASTM D4361-09 - Standard Test Method for Apparent Tack of Printing Inks and Vehicles by a Three-Roller Tackmeter
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Refers: ASTM D2067-97(2008) - Standard Test Method for Coarse Particles in Printing Ink Dispersions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM D2067-97(2008)e1 - Standard Test Method for Coarse Particles in Printing Ink Dispersions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM D387-00(2008) - Standard Test Method for Color and Strength of Chromatic Pigments with a Mechanical Muller
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Refers: ASTM D4017-02(2008)e1 - Standard Test Method for Water in Paints and Paint Materials by Karl Fischer Method
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008

Overview

ASTM D6336-11(2021) is a widely recognized standard published by ASTM International. This standard provides a standard practice for the evaluation of flushing vehicles for pigment wetting using a vacuum-modified sigma blade mixer. The method offers guidelines that enable reproducible preparation of pigment flushes, particularly useful for comparing the effects of different raw materials on pigment wetting and dispersion processes. This practice ensures consistency and reliability in laboratory-scale evaluations, supporting ink, pigment, and varnish manufacturers in optimizing their formulas and understanding the relative performance of different flushing vehicles.

Key Topics

• Reproducibility: By adhering to the method outlined in ASTM D6336, laboratories can achieve consistent and repeatable results when using the same raw materials and process parameters.
• Relative Evaluation: The standard focuses on relative comparisons, using control and experimental flushes to assess changes in pigment strength, grind, grit, gloss, and other characteristics.
• Vacuum-Modified Sigma Blade Mixer: The procedure utilizes a vacuum flusher equipped with sigma-shaped blades that knead and mix pigment presscake, vehicle, and additives, facilitating the displacement of water and effective pigment dispersion.
• Standardized Reporting: Results are reported based on after-vacuum strength, grind size, grit content, tack, and viscosity, supporting detailed assessments of flushing vehicle efficacy.
• Safety and Best Practices: Users are responsible for applying appropriate safety, health, and environmental measures during testing, in line with regulatory requirements.

Applications

The ASTM D6336-11(2021) standard is primarily applied in:

• Ink Manufacturing: Assists ink companies in formulating and comparing different vehicles and additives for optimal pigment wetting and dispersion.
• Pigment Production: Enables pigment manufacturers to benchmark the effectiveness of various flushing vehicles or additives in pigment transfer and dispersion performance.
• Varnish Formulation: Supports varnish producers in evaluating the relative wetting efficiency of vehicles under laboratory conditions before scaling up to production.
• Quality Control: Used as a quality assurance tool to monitor consistency across batches and validate raw material changes on pigment wetting properties.
• Research and Development: Facilitates experimental comparisons when developing new flushing vehicles or modifying existing formulations.

This practice provides a relative indicator of how a formula will perform in production, after establishing a correlation between laboratory and production-scale flushing. It ensures that product development and process optimization are based on systematic and data-driven approaches, emphasizing standardized dispersion, grind, and viscosity measurements.

Related Standards

For comprehensive pigment dispersion and evaluation, ASTM D6336-11(2021) references and aligns with several related ASTM standards, including:

• ASTM D280 - Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture in Pigments
• ASTM D387 - Test Method for Color and Strength of Chromatic Pigments with a Mechanical Muller
• ASTM D1316 - Test Method for Fineness of Grind of Printing Inks
• ASTM D2066 - Test Methods for Relative Tinting Strength of Paste-Type Printing Ink Dispersions
• ASTM D2067 - Test Method for Coarse Particles in Printing Ink Dispersions
• ASTM D4017 - Test Method for Water in Paints and Paint Materials
• ASTM D4040 - Test Method for Rheological Properties of Paste Printing and Vehicles by the Falling-Rod Viscometer

These standards work collectively to ensure robust and universally accepted assessment of pigment dispersions, flush vehicles, and finished ink or varnish products.

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By following ASTM D6336-11(2021), organizations can achieve consistent, standardized pigment flushing evaluations, supporting innovation while maintaining quality and performance in pigment-based product development.

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:D6336 −11 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Flushing Vehicles for Pigment Wetting Using a
Vacuum Modified Sigma Blade Mixer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6336; 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 by Karl Fischer Method
D4040 Test Method for Rheological Properties of Paste
1.1 This practice covers guidelines for the evaluations of
Printing and Vehicles by the Falling-Rod Viscometer
flushing vehicles for pigment dispersion using a vacuum
D4361 Test Method for Apparent Tack of Printing Inks and
modified sigma blade mixer, or vacuum flusher.
Vehicles by a Three-Roller Tackmeter (Withdrawn 2019)
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3. Terminology
only.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 additives, n—various materials that are used in rela-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tively small quantities to condition the pigment or vehicle.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2 break, n—the action that takes place when water is
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
separated from the pigment in a presscake.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.3 flushed color, n—a color base in paste form prepared
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
by flushing.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.4 flusher, n—a mixing device that has two sigma shaped
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
agitator blades parallel to each other, turning in opposing
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
directions at different speeds.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Themixingactionofaflusheristhatof
kneading.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1.5 flushing, n—a method of transferring pigments from
dispersionsinwatertodispersionsinoilbythedisplacementof
D280 Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other
Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments the water by oil.
D387 Test Method for Color and Strength of Chromatic 3.1.5.1 Discussion—The resulting dispersions of flushing
Pigments with a Mechanical Muller
are known as flushed colors.
D1316 Test Method for Fineness of Grind of Printing Inks
3.1.6 pigment, n—the fine solid particles of colorant used to
By the NPIRI Grindometer
give color to printing inks.
D2066 Test Methods for Relative Tinting Strength of Paste-
3.1.6.1 Discussion—The pigment particles are substantially
Type Printing Ink Dispersions
insoluble in the vehicle and in water.
D2067 Test Method for Coarse Particles in Printing Ink
3.1.7 presscake, n—a mixture of pigment and water formed
Dispersions
into a cake by passing through a filter press under pressure.
D4017 Test Method for Water in Paints and Paint Materials
3.1.8 vacuum cycle, n—the time a flush is under vacuum to
remove entrapped water.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
3.1.9 vehicle, n—the liquid portion of an ink that holds and
Subcommittee D01.37 on Ink Vehicles.
carries the pigment, provides workability and drying properties
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally
and binds the pigment to the substrate after the ink has dried.
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D6336 – 11 (2017).
DOI: 10.1520/D6336-11R21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6336−11 (2021)
of pigment calculated on a dry basis and not on the weight of presscake,
4. Summary of Practice
since the amount of water in the presscake will vary from batch to batch.
4.1 Vehicle,pigmentpresscake,andadditivesareaddedinto
For example, a presscake can be referred to as 25 % dry or 25 % solids.
a sigma blade mixer and mixed until the water is displaced
This means that for every 100 kg of presscake there are 25 kg of pigment
and 75 kg of water. Usually the entire quantity of presscake to be flushed
from the pigment presscake.
will not fit in the flusher at one time. If this is the case, it is necessary to
4.2 Step 4.1 is repeated two or three times until the capacity
flush the required amount of pigment in a succession of breaks (see Fig.
of the flusher has been reached. 1).
NOTE 3—Many formulas call for two or more kinds of oil or varnish or
4.3 Theflusheristhensealedandavacuumapplieduntilthe
resin solution etc. Directions are usually very specific as to how much
dispersion (flush) is free of moisture.
should be used, when the various items should be added, and the order in
which they are added. It is normal practice to add these items in the same
NOTE 1—Lithol rubine pigment undergoes a color conversion when
order as shown on the formula. The vehicle having the best pigment
essentially all water is removed.
wetting property is usually added first. In some formulas, however,
judgment is left to the operator, as predictions cannot be made.
4.4 Vehicle solvent and additives are added to adjust the
NOTE 4—Flushing aids are very effective and should be used with care
strength, shade and body of the dispersion (flush) to that of a
and good judgment.
standard dispersion (flush).
8.2 First Break:
5. Significance and Use
8.2.1 Add prescribed quantity of presscake to the flusher.
8.2.1.1 The presscake should be analyzed for dry weight or
5.1 By following this practice it is possible to make repro-
solids according to Test Methods D280.
ducible flushes when using the same raw materials. Therefore,
8.2.1.2 All presscake should be weighed before it is charged
if someone wishes to evaluate the effect a different raw
to the flusher.
material has on a flush, it is possible to evaluate this effect by
8.2.2 Agitate for 2 to 5 min. If using a multispeed flusher,
noting the change that occurs from a control flush to the
agitate at low speed for 1 to 2 min then at high speed for 2 to
experimental flush. This change can be, but is not limited to;
5 min.
suchthingsasstrengthaftervacuum,grind,grit,glossetc.This
8.2.3 Add flushing additive(s) if required.
practice can be used by ink companies, pigment companies or
8.2.4 Add vehicle in small quantities until break occurs.
varnish companies. This practice is not meant to give absolute
Remember you can always put vehicle in but never take it out.
values but is meant to be used as a relative practice in which a
Therefore, always work the vehicle into the presscake well
control flush is made using a standard formula and the
before adding more.
experimental flush is compared to the control flush. This
8.2.5 When the flush mass begins to form (water is flushed
practice is not meant to determine the absolute performance of
a formula in production.Again it can be used to give a relative out) continue to mix u
...