ASTM D6073-08a

Standard Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The setting speed of heatset printing inks is important because it influences the efficiency of the drying process. This test method provides a means for comparing the setting of a heatset ink directly against a standard at the same conditions of temperature and exposure time. While the method does not determine the setting speed of an ink on a production press, it is useful for specification acceptance between the supplier and the customer.
The setting speed of a printing ink depends on a number of variables such as the substrate on which it is printed, the film thickness on the print, the temperature of the forced air, the rate of air flow, and the time that the print is subjected to heat. For these reasons, it is important to conduct the tests under conditions that are controlled and as realistic as practical.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for determining the relative setting speed of heatset inks using a tester consisting of a forced hot air oven and print delivery system.
1.2 This test method is applicable to printing inks intended to be dried by the application of heat and for which a suitable reference standard is available.
1.3 Although heatset inks are normally printed by the offset process, this test method specifies the direct letterpress mode because the higher ink film thicknesses obtained tend to amplify subtle differences in ink setting speed. Prints are prepared by a flatbed printing apparatus using a constant depth printing gage.
1.4 This tester reads temperature and belt speed in nonmetric terms; therefore, instrument settings in this test method are stated first in U.S. Customary Units (inch pound units of measurements). The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2008
• 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 D6073-08 - Standard Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks by the Heatset Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D6073-08a(2013) - Standard Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D6846-02(2020) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7680-10(2020) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks by a Motor-Driven Printability Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6487-10(2019) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks Using a Hand Operated Laboratory Flat-Bed Press
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6073 − 08a
StandardTest Method for
1
Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6073; 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. Terminology
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for determin- 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ing the relative setting speed of heatset inks using a tester 3.1.1 heatset printing ink, n—an ink typically containing
consisting of a forced hot air oven and print delivery system. aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents that evaporate at elevated
temperatures.
1.2 This test method is applicable to printing inks intended
to be dried by the application of heat and for which a suitable
4. Summary of Test Method
reference standard is available.
4.1 A printing gage is used to prepare a laboratory print
1.3 Although heatset inks are normally printed by the offset
containing both the test sample and a standard ink. The freshly
process, this test method specifies the direct letterpress mode
prepared print is immediately subjected to forced hot air in the
because the higher ink film thicknesses obtained tend to
tester, which is initially set at 350°F (177°C) and a belt speed
amplify subtle differences in ink setting speed. Prints are
of 30 fpm (0.15 m/s).
prepared by a flatbed printing apparatus using a constant depth
4.2 The print is cooled, overlaid with a clean sheet of stock,
printing gage.
passed through the printing apparatus, and examined for setoff.
1.4 This tester reads temperature and belt speed in nonmet-
4.3 The process is repeated at different belt speeds or
ric terms; therefore, instrument settings in this test method are
stated first in U.S. Customary Units (inch pound units of temperatures until either the test sample or the standard
exhibits setoff and the other does not, or it is established that
measurements). The values given in parentheses are for infor-
mation only. both are the same. The sample is then reported to dry faster
than, slower than, or equal to the standard.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
5. Significance and Use
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
5.1 The setting speed of heatset printing inks is important
and are not considered standard.
because it influences the efficiency of the drying process. This
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
test method provides a means for comparing the setting of a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
heatset ink directly against a standard at the same conditions of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
temperature and exposure time. While the method does not
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
determine the setting speed of an ink on a production press, it
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
is useful for specification acceptance between the supplier and
the customer.
2. Referenced Documents
2
5.2 The setting speed of a printing ink depends on a number
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ofvariablessuchasthesubstrateonwhichitisprinted,thefilm
D6846 Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks
thicknessontheprint,thetemperatureoftheforcedair,therate
with a Printing Gage
of air flow, and the time that the print is subjected to heat. For
these reasons, it is important to conduct the tests under
conditions that are controlled and as realistic as practical.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
6. Apparatus
Current edition approved June 1, 2008. Published June 2008. Originally
6.1 Tester, equipped with a forced hot air oven and print
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D6073 - 08. DOI:
10.1520/D6073-08A.
carrier system consisting of heat resistant revolving belts that
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
act as the print delivery system. The air temperature is
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
adjustable between 100 and 600°F (38 and 315°C) and the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. speed of the print delivery unit between 0 and 100 fpm (0 and
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D6073–08 Designation:D6073–08a
Standard Test Method for
Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks by the Heatset
1
TesterRelative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6073; 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 *
1.1This test method describes the procedure for determining the relative setting speed of heatset inks using a specific tester
consisting of a forced hot air oven and print delivery system.
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for determining the relative setting speed of heatset inks using a tester consisting
of a forced hot air oven and print delivery system.
1.2 This test method is applicable to printing inks intended to be dried by the application of heat and for which a suitable
reference standard is available.
1.3 Although heatset inks are normally printed by the offset process, this test method specifies the direct letterpress mode
because the higher ink film thicknesses obtained tend to amplify subtle differences in ink setting speed. Prints are prepared by a
flatbed printing apparatus using a constant depth printing gage.
1.4 This tester reads temperature and belt speed in nonmetric terms; therefore, instrument settings in this test method are stated
first in U.S. Customary Units (inch pound units of measurements). The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1316Test Method for Fineness of Grind of Printing Inks By the NPIRI Grindometer
D 6846 Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 heatset printing ink, n—aninktypicallycontainingaliphatichydrocarbonsolventsthatevaporateatelevatedtemperatures.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Aprinting gage is used to prepare a laboratory print containing both the test sample and a standard ink.The freshly prepared
print is immediately subjected to forced hot air in the tester, which is initially set at 350°F (177°C) and a belt speed of 30 fpm
(0.15 m/s).
4.2 The print is cooled, overlaid with a clean sheet of stock, passed through the printing apparatus, and examined for setoff.
4.3 The process is repeated at different belt speeds or temperatures until either the test sample or the standard exhibits setoff
and the other does not, or it is established that both are the same. The sample is then reported to dry faster than, slower than, or
equal to the standard.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The setting speed of heatset printing inks is important because it influences the efficiency of the drying process. This test
method provides a means for comparing the setting of a heatset ink directly against a standard at the same conditions of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
Current edition approved Feb. 15,June 1, 2008. Published AprilJune 2008. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20012008 as
D6073-96(2001).D 6073 - 08.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D6073–08a
temperature and exposure time. While the method does not determine the setting speed of an ink on a production press, it is useful
for specification accepta
...