ASTM D4713-12(2020)

Standard Test Methods for Nonvolatile Content of Heatset and Liquid Printing Ink Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Nonvolatile content of printing inks is useful for specification acceptance between the producer and the user.  
4.2 In order to obtain accurate results for heatset systems within the specified 3-h heating time, the specimen film thickness must be less than 100 g/m2, and the oven must have forced ventilation. Thickness of the specimen film is less critical for liquid ink systems.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of weight content of nonvolatile matter in two types of printing inks.  
1.2 Test Method A is applicable to heatset-type printing inks and resin solutions; solvents in such systems typically have initial boiling points in the range from 240 to 275°C (470 to 535°F) and vapor pressures less than 0.2 mm Hg.  
1.3 Test Method B is applicable to liquid-type printing inks and vehicles based on aqueous or organic solvents that evaporate readily at ordinary room temperatures.
Note 1: Test Method A (for heatset systems) specifies a specimen film thickness that is much thinner than those produced by related test methods; one exception is Test Method B in Test Methods D1259, which is recommended as a referee test.
Note 2: Test Method B (for liquid ink systems) is similar to Test Method D2369 except that a solvent is not required for spreading the test specimen.  
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 D4713-12 - Standard Test Methods for Nonvolatile Content of Heatset and Liquid Printing Ink Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D2369-24 - Standard Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E145-19 - Standard Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1259-06(2018) - Standard Test Methods for Nonvolatile Content of Resin Solutions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM D2369-10(2015)e1 - Standard Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM E1-13 - Standard Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM E691-13 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM D1259-06(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Nonvolatile Content of Resin Solutions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM E145-94(2011) - Standard Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM E691-11 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM D2369-10e1 - Standard Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2011
• Refers: ASTM D2369-10 - Standard Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Refers: ASTM E691-08 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E1-07 - Standard Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM D2369-07 - Standard Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007

Overview

ASTM D4713-12(2020) specifies standardized test methods for determining the nonvolatile content of heatset and liquid printing ink systems. These methods are essential for manufacturers and users to control product quality, specification acceptance, and formulation consistency in the printing ink industry. By providing procedures for both heatset and liquid inks, this standard ensures accurate measurement and reliable comparison across different ink types and production lots.

Key Topics

• Nonvolatile Content Measurement: The standard focuses on quantifying the weight content of nonvolatile matter (i.e., solid residue after evaporation of volatile components) for two primary ink types:

  • Heatset-type printing inks and resin solutions (Test Method A)
  • Liquid-type printing inks and vehicles (Test Method B)

• Test Method A (Heatset Inks and Resin Solutions):

  • Utilizes thin specimen films (less than 100 g/m²) to ensure complete drying within a 3-hour period
  • Requires forced-ventilation ovens to accurately simulate production environments

• Test Method B (Liquid Inks):

  • Accommodates inks with solvents evaporating readily at room temperature
  • Less stringent on specimen film thickness, making it suitable for a wide range of liquid inks

• Apparatus and Conditions:

  • Use of precision balances, forced-ventilation ovens, standardized weighing dishes, thermometers, spreaders, and other laboratory equipment
  • SI units are the standard of measure, with values in parentheses for reference

• Precision and Bias:

  • Includes guidelines on repeatability and reproducibility to ensure consistent, reliable results in both single-lab and interlaboratory settings

• Safety and Compliance:

  • Emphasizes the responsibility of users to adhere to safety, health, and environmental regulations when conducting tests

Applications

ASTM D4713 delivers significant practical value in several areas:

• Printing Ink Manufacturing: Enables producers to monitor and adjust formulations for consistent nonvolatile content, impacting ink performance and quality.
• Quality Assurance: Supports contract specification acceptance between ink suppliers and consumers, ensuring all parties meet agreed-upon standards.
• Research and Development: Provides a reliable method for R&D labs to evaluate new ink formulas or assess changes in composition.
• Process Control: Facilitates process optimization and troubleshooting by tracking variations in nonvolatile content across production batches.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists in demonstrating conformity with industry, safety, and environmental standards related to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

Related Standards

ASTM D4713 aligns with and references the following related ASTM standards:

• ASTM D1259 - Test Methods for Nonvolatile Content of Resin Solutions
• ASTM D2369 - Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
• ASTM E145 - Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
• ASTM E1 - Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
• ASTM E691 - Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

These standards complement ASTM D4713, offering broader context and alternate methods for measuring nonvolatile and volatile content in inks and coatings.

---

Keywords: ASTM D4713, nonvolatile content, printing inks, heatset ink, liquid ink, ink testing, ink quality control, resin solutions, forced ventilation oven, ink specification, VOC testing, ASTM standards.

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: D4713 − 12 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Methods for
Nonvolatile Content of Heatset and Liquid Printing Ink
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4713; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of weight 2.1 ASTM Standards:
content of nonvolatile matter in two types of printing inks. D1259 Test Methods for Nonvolatile Content of Resin
Solutions
1.2 Test MethodAis applicable to heatset-type printing inks
D2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
and resin solutions; solvents in such systems typically have
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
initial boiling points in the range from 240 to 275°C (470 to
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
535°F) and vapor pressures less than 0.2 mm Hg.
Ventilation Ovens
1.3 Test Method B is applicable to liquid-type printing inks
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
and vehicles based on aqueous or organic solvents that evapo-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
rate readily at ordinary room temperatures.
3. Summary of Test Methods
NOTE 1—Test MethodA(for heatset systems) specifies a specimen film
thickness that is much thinner than those produced by related test
3.1 Test MethodA—Heatset Systems—A0.15-g specimen is
methods; one exception is Test Method B in Test Methods D1259, which
mechanically spread in a 57-mm weighing dish to a nominal
is recommended as a referee test.
thickness of 80 6 10 g/m and heated in a forced ventilation
NOTE 2—Test Method B (for liquid ink systems) is similar to Test
oven at 110°C for 3 h.
Method D2369 except that a solvent is not required for spreading the test
specimen.
3.2 Test Method B—Liquid Ink Systems—A 0.5-g specimen
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
is dispensed into a 57-mm weighing dish by means of a
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
disposable syringe, mechanically spread out, and heated in an
only.
oven at 110°C for 1 h.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1 Nonvolatile content of printing inks is useful for speci-
fication acceptance between the producer and the user.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 In order to obtain accurate results for heatset systems
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
within the specified 3-h heating time, the specimen film
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
thickness must be less than 100 g/m , and the oven must have
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
forced ventilation. Thickness of the specimen film is less
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
critical for liquid ink systems.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Balance, accurate to 1 mg.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2020.PublishedJuly2020.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D4713 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D4713-12R20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4713 − 12 (2020)
5.2 Oven, forced-ventilation type conforming toType IIB in 8.1.2 Transfer a representative portion of the sample to the
Specification E145 and maintained at 110 6 2°C. tip of a spatula and dab about 0.15 6 0.02 g around the bottom
of each 57-mm dish, or 0.43 6 0.02 g if a 94-mm can lid is
5.3 Thermometer, capable of reading 110 6 2°C and con-
used. Quickly reweigh and calculate the weight per unit area in
forming to Specification E1. Alternately, temperature measur-
accordance with 9.1. If in excess of 100 g/m , discard and
ing devices such as liquid-in-glass thermometers, thermistors,
weigh out a new specimen.
thermocouples, or platinum resistance thermometers that pro-
8.1.3 With spreader, smooth out the specimen into a reason-
vide equivalent or better accuracy and precision, that cover the
ably uniform film covering the entire bottom of the dish. High
temperature range specified, may be used.
viscosity inks may require a few drops of a suitable solvent to
5.4 Weighing Dish, such as an aluminum foil dish 57 mm
aid in spreading out the film.
wide, the lid of a 1-lb ink can 94 mm wide, or other
8.1.4 Place the dishes in the forced draft oven at 110°C for
flat-bottomed container. The bottom of the container must not
3h.Removedishesfromoven,coolindesiccator,andreweigh.
have a trough or depression into which the test material might
8.2 Test Method B—Liquid Ink Systems:
collect.
8.2.1 Tare weighing dishes as in 8.1.1.Transfer 2 to 4 mLof
5.5 Spatula, or small ink knife.
representative sample to s
...