ASTM F2250-03
(Practice)Standard Practice for Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Printed Inks and Coatings on Flexible Packaging Materials
Standard Practice for Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Printed Inks and Coatings on Flexible Packaging Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Packaging materials may be exposed to chemicals such as water, alcohol, acid, etc. during their life cycle. If it is anticipated that the packaging material will be exposed to a chemical, it is important that the ink or coating, or both, not degrade, soften, or dissolve as a result of that contact.
The testing included in this practice is applicable to surface printed and coated materials designed to be resistant to a specific chemical.
The chemicals to be tested should be compatible with (that is, not damage or degrade) the substrate being printed or coated, or both.
There are four separate methods detailed in this practice. The methods represent increasing degrees of severity from Method A to Method D. Selection of method should be based on the type of exposure anticipated. For example, the pouring method (Method A) is typically used where incidental exposure is anticipated, such as a spill or splash of chemical on the material surface. Method B or C is typically used when chemical resistance is desired depending on the level of exposure (B) and abrasion (C) anticipated. Method D would represent continual contact between the chemical and material and would need to be chemical-proof, (for example, if the package were to be submerged in the chemical and exposed to abrasion over a period of time.)
This practice does not address acceptability criteria. These need to be jointly determined by the user and producer of the product, based on the type of exposure that is anticipated.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the procedure for evaluating the ability of an ink, overprint varnish or coating to withstand chemical exposure. Typical chemicals, which may come in contact with the package, include water, alcohol, acid, etc. The specific chemical and method of choice as well as determination of measurement outcome are left to users to agree upon in joint discussion. Suggestions for ways to measure and collect information are offered in the various methods listed in this practice.
1.2 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:F2250–03
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Printed Inks and
Coatings on Flexible Packaging Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2250; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.3 The chemicals to be tested should be compatible with
(that is, not damage or degrade) the substrate being printed or
1.1 This practice describes the procedure for evaluating the
coated, or both.
ability of an ink, overprint varnish or coating to withstand
3.4 Therearefourseparatemethodsdetailedinthispractice.
chemical exposure. Typical chemicals, which may come in
The methods represent increasing degrees of severity from
contact with the package, include water, alcohol, acid, etc. The
Method A to Method D. Selection of method should be based
specific chemical and method of choice as well as determina-
on the type of exposure anticipated. For example, the pouring
tion of measurement outcome are left to users to agree upon in
method(MethodA)istypicallyusedwhereincidentalexposure
joint discussion. Suggestions for ways to measure and collect
is anticipated, such as a spill or splash of chemical on the
information are offered in the various methods listed in this
material surface. Method B or C is typically used when
practice.
chemical resistance is desired depending on the level of
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
exposure (B) and abrasion (C) anticipated. Method D would
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
represent continual contact between the chemical and material
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and would need to be chemical-proof, (for example, if the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
package were to be submerged in the chemical and exposed to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
abrasion over a period of time.)
2. Referenced Documents
3.5 This practice does not address acceptability criteria.
These need to be jointly determined by the user and producer
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of the product, based on the type of exposure that is antici-
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
pated.
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
4. Apparatus
3. Significance and Use
4.1 Method A Apparatus:
4.1.1 Inclined plane capable of holding material at approxi-
3.1 Packaging materials may be exposed to chemicals such
mately a 45-degree angle, allowing chemical to be tested to
as water, alcohol, acid, etc. during their life cycle. If it is
flow easily downward.
anticipated that the packaging material will be exposed to a
4.1.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be
chemical, it is important that the ink or coating, or both, not
tested.
degrade, soften, or dissolve as a result of that contact.
4.2 Method B Apparatus:
3.2 The testing included in this practice is applicable to
4.2.1 Watch glass, sized to cover sample to be tested and
surface printed and coated materials designed to be resistant to
easily handled.
a specific chemical.
4.2.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be
tested.
4.2.3 Timing device.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on Flexible
4.2.4 Absorbent material.
Barrier Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.20 on
4.3 Method C Apparatus:
Physical Properties.
4.3.1 Cotton swab.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2003. Published December 2003.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.3.2 Container of chemical to be tested.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.4 Method D Apparatus:
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
4.4.1 Watch glass, sized to cover sample to be tested and
the ASTM website.
Withdrawn. easily handled.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2250–03
4.4.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be 7.2.5 When specified time has elapsed, carefully remove
tested. glass and examine sample for any running, smearing or
4.4.3 Timing device. discoloration.
4.4.4 Wipe or cotton swab.
7.2.6 Blot gently with absorbent material. Examine absor-
bent wipe for any transfer of ink or coating and the sample for
5. Sampling
any smearing or discoloration.
5.1 The number of samples tested should be adequate to be
7.2.7 Record results in user specified format. For example,
predictive of performance. Caution should be taken when
results may be recorded as pass (no change)/fail or as a degree
eliminating samples with defects as this can bias results.
or percentage of damage.
5.2 See Practice D 1898 for guidance on standard sampling
7.3 Method C—Wiping Method:
practices.
7.3.1 Cut a sample of the material in the area of interest,
6. Conditioning
approximately 13 by 13 cm or 5 by 5 in. To test larger printed
or coated areas, or both, multiple samples may need to be cut.
6.1 Conditioning of the samples will depend on the material
7.3.2 Lay the sample on a flat surface taking care that it is
under evaluation. If conditioning before testing is appropriate,
normal, and desirable, then condition the test specimens at 23 smooth without wrinkles, creases, or folds. The surface to be
evaluated (the printed or coated side) should be facing up.
6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 6 5% RH for not less than 24 h
prior to test.
7.3.3 Saturate a swab with chemical to be used for test.
6.2 Before testing catalyzed or cured inks or coatings,
7.3.4 Placethechemical-soakedswabonthesampleandrub
...
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