ASTM D5181-09(2017)

Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Matter by the GA-CAT Comprehensive Abrasion Tester

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Abrasion resistance during transport and storage is essential to prevent marring of type matter, designs, or protective coatings on the exterior of labels and other printed materials. Recognizing that the actual amount of abrasion occurring in the field depends on relative humidity, temperature, tightness of packing, and a host of other variables, this test method provides a rapid means for comparing the abrasion resistance of test surfaces under laboratory conditions. It is useful for specification acceptance between the supplier and the customer.  
5.2 This test method can also be used to evaluate the relative abrasion resistance of printed inks, varnishes, laminates and substrates, and the abrasiveness of inks.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the abrasion resistance of printed matter using a GA-CAT Comprehensive Abrasion Tester.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to packaging labels, book, catalog, and magazine covers, bar codes, corrugated boxes, and other containers having applied graphics on any flat substrate. It is not recommended for powder coatings.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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: 30-Nov-2017
• ICS: 37.100.10 - Reproduction equipment
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.56 - Printing Inks

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5181-09 - Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Matter by the GA-CAT Comprehensive Abrasion Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM E171-94(2007) - Standard Specification for Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Refers: ASTM E171-94(2002) - Standard Specification for Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-1994
• Referred By: ASTM D7188-05(2019) - Standard Terminology for Printing Inks, Materials, and Processes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017

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: D5181 − 09 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Test Method for
Abrasion Resistance of Printed Matter by the GA-CAT
Comprehensive Abrasion Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5181; 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 3.1.2 abrasiveness, n—the degree to which a product tends
to cause abrasion by the act of rubbing or scraping.
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
3.1.3 receptor, n—film or paper of standard abrasiveness
the abrasion resistance of printed matter using a GA-CAT
onto which material removed from the specimen is deposited
Comprehensive Abrasion Tester.
during the abrasion testing process.
1.2 Thistestmethodisapplicabletopackaginglabels,book,
catalog,andmagazinecovers,barcodes,corrugatedboxes,and
4. Summary of Test Method
other containers having applied graphics on any flat substrate.
4.1 The test print and a receptor are sandwiched in the panel
It is not recommended for powder coatings.
holder of the GA-CAT Comprehensive Abrasion Tester,
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
clamped together with a known force, and made to slide over
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
each other at a known frequency and over a known distance for
only.
a predetermined time period.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 The test specimen is examined for degree of print
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
degradation and the receptor for amount of ink or other
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
material transferred from the specimen surface.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.1 Abrasion resistance during transport and storage is
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
essential to prevent marring of type matter, designs, or protec-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
tive coatings on the exterior of labels and other printed
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
materials. Recognizing that the actual amount of abrasion
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
occurring in the field depends on relative humidity,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
temperature,tightnessofpacking,andahostofothervariables,
this test method provides a rapid means for comparing the
2. Referenced Documents
abrasionresistanceoftestsurfacesunderlaboratoryconditions.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
It is useful for specification acceptance between the supplier
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier
and the customer.
Packaging
5.2 Thistestmethodcanalsobeusedtoevaluatetherelative
3. Terminology
abrasion resistance of printed inks, varnishes, laminates and
substrates, and the abrasiveness of inks.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 abrasion resistance, n—resistance against the act of
6. Apparatus
scraping, smudging, or rubbing off.
6.1 GA-CAT Comprehensive Abrasion Tester.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
7. Materials
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
7.1 Receptors, can be an unprinted sheet of the same
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017. Published December 2017. Originally
substrate or a printed sheet of the identical substrate for
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D5181 – 09. DOI:
face-to-face testing cut to approximately 102 by 114 mm (4 by
10.1520/D5181-09R17.
2 1
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 4 ⁄2 in.).
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
7.2 Foam Sheeting, 2 pieces, each approximately 2 mm in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
theASTM website. thickness and cut to 102 by 114 mm (4 by 4 ⁄2 in.).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5181 − 09 (2017)
NOTE 1—Use of foam sheeting as a backing for the test specimen and
There should be space of at least ⁄2 in. between the two center
the receptor is recommended to provide uniform pressure over the test
panel holders.
surfaces and to prevent ink, varnish, or other particles from becoming
10.1.2 Face the test specimen on the receptor (selected in
imbedded in the sensitive surface of the panel holders.
9.3) and sandwich between the foam sheets. Place the sand-
7.3 Comparative Control, a production or laboratory print
wich between the two center panel holders so that the grain
preferably having known abrasion resistance. The comparative
direction of the specimen is vertical. Take care that the
control must have the same substrate, color(s), and subject
sandwich does not extend below the bottom of the panel
matter as the test print.
holders.
10.1.3 Push the four panel holders together into an upright
8. Test Specimen and Conditioning
parallel position. Make sure that the sandwich is not pinched at
8.1 The specimen size in the grain direction (or flute in the
the bottom of the panel holders; otherwise, it will tend to slide
case of corrugated board) must not exceed 114 mm (4 ⁄2 in.).
down during the test. Grab the pins and move the tray inside
The specimen size in the cross-grain direction is less critical;
the instrument so that the two retaining pins drop into the
102 mm (4 in.) is recommended. Care should be taken to avoid
carriage holes. If the pins do not drop into their respective
contaminating the test surface with fingerprints during speci-
holes, recenter the panel holders on the sample tray.
men cutting and handling.
10.1.4 Apply side pressure by turning the lower black
8.2 Condition the specimens at 23 6 2°C (73.5 6 3.6°F)
spindle until the corresponding dial reads 20 pounds per square
and 50 6 5 % relative humidity in accordance with Specifica-
inch (psi). Do not apply top pressure at this time.
tion E171.
10.1.5 The carriage inside the instrument is meant to move
between two limit switches (used for centering) approximately
9. Preparation of Apparatus
50.8 mm (2 in.) apart. If the carriage is not
...