ASTM D6531-00(2005)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Relative Tinting Strength of Aqueous Ink Systems by Instrumental Measurement
Standard Test Method for Relative Tinting Strength of Aqueous Ink Systems by Instrumental Measurement
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Tinting strength is an essential property of printing ink dispersions. Although results on bulk tints do not guarantee equivalency of dry printed films, they provide useful parameters for quality control of production batches of bases and finished inks. Test results may also be used for color matching purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the relative tinting strength of waterbased ink systems using a computer-aided spectrophotometer.
1.2 This test method is applicable to waterbased printing inks and bases to be used primarily in flexographic and gravure printing applications.
1.3 This test method applies only to single, non-fluorescent pigmented colors and black ink systems for which there is a reference standard containing a pigment of the identical color index name and number.
1.4 The procedure in this test method specifies placing tinted samples in a cuvette for spectrophotometric measurements. The use of thick wet drawdowns as in Test Methods D 2066 are inappropriate due to severe floating problems with aqueous systems.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D6531–00(Reapproved2005)
Standard Test Method for
Relative Tinting Strength of Aqueous Ink Systems by
Instrumental Measurement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6531; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
E1331 Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by
the relative tinting strength of waterbased ink systems using a
Spectrophotometry Using Hemispherical Geometry
computer-aided spectrophotometer.
E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Mea-
1.2 This test method is applicable to waterbased printing
surement by Tristimulus Colorimetry
inksandbasestobeusedprimarilyinflexographicandgravure
E1349 Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by
printing applications.
Spectrophotometry Using Bidirectional (45°:0° or 0°:45°)
1.3 This test method applies only to single, non-fluorescent
Geometry
pigmented colors and black ink systems for which there is a
reference standard containing a pigment of the identical color
3. Terminology
index name and number.
3.1 Definitions related to color differences are covered in
1.4 The procedure in this test method specifies placing
Practice D2244. The definitions of tinting strength terms are
tinted samples in a cuvette for spectrophotometric measure-
given in Test Methods D2066.
ments. The use of thick wet drawdowns as in Test Methods
D2066 are inappropriate due to severe floating problems with
4. Summary of Test Method
aqueous systems.
4.1 A standard and unknown samples are each reduced to
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
the same concentration in a white tinting base then dispersed
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
on a paint shaker.
standard.
4.2 The dispersed samples are transferred to cuvettes for
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
reflectance measurements on a spectrophotometer. Hue and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
strength relative to the standard tint are computed.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
NOTE 1—The hue readings indicate the closeness of the unknown
sample to that of the standard.
bility of regulatory limitations.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Tinting strength is an essential property of printing ink
2.1 ASTM Standards:
dispersions. Although results on bulk tints do not guarantee
D2066 TestMethodsforRelativeTintingStrengthofPaste-
equivalency of dry printed films, they provide useful param-
Type Printing Ink Dispersions
eters for quality control of production batches of bases and
D2244 Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and
finished inks. Test results may also be used for color matching
Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color
purposes.
Coordinates
6. Apparatus
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
6.1 GlassJars,capacityapprox.64g,33mmindiameterby
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
70 mm in height, with screw cap lids.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2005. Published September 2005. Originally
6.2 Paint Shaker.
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D6531–00. DOI:
6.3 Spectrophotometer, with small-area view (10-mm aper-
10.1520/D6531-00R05.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or ture,diffuse/8°geometry)andwithacomputerandsoftwareto
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
measure reflectance factor, calculate color differences by
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
CIELAB 1976 equation. Tinting strength is calculated by a
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6531–00 (2005)
Kubelka-Monk equation transformed from the lowest tristimu- 9.10 Visually check the jars to make sure that the tints are
lus value.Alternate instrumentation and software may be used uniform with no white remaining, especially in the corners of
by agreement between producer and user, or different plant the jar. If any white remains, repeat 9.8 until it is completely
locations. mixed.
6.4 Disposable Cuvettes, 10 mm in diameter, with at least
9.11 Let the samples sit for five minutes so the air bubbles
one optically true face. can dissipate.
6.5 Disposable Pipettes 7-mL capacity, 3.5-mL bulb draw
or suitable substitute.
10. Procedure for Spectrophotometric Measurements
6.6 Balance, capacity 100 g, accurate to 10 mg, preferably
10.1 CalibratethespectrophotometerwithD65lightsource,
1 mg.
10° observer, and specular component included. (See 10.9.)
6.7 Black Electrical Tape.
10.2 Referring to the manual of the software that is being
6.8 Black Cover, 90 mm in diameter such as 1-lb ink can,
used, set the computer to measure the reflectance of the
with interior painted flat black.
standard sample.
6.9 Ink Knives, small.
10.3 Remove port cover and center an empty cuvette over
6.10 Medicine Droppers.
the port with the optically true side facing the light source.
Tape it in place using the black electrical tape.
7. Materials
10.4 Open the tint of standard sample and stir it with a
7.1 Standard Ink or Base—The standard should be 100% disposable pipet to insure homogeneity. Fill the pipet with the
intended strength of the same pigmentation and similar in tint.
viscosity to the unknown sample.
10.5 Touch the tip of the pipet to the inside surface of the
7.2 White Tinting Base, compatible with and of a viscosity cuvette that the spectrophotometer will read, and fill the
similar to samples being tested.
cuvette to above the level of the spectrophotometer port in one
continuous motion. If it is not, the specimen will not read
8. Sampling properly.
10.6 Attach the port cover to the front of the spectropho-
8.1 Carefully select a sample that is free of skin and oth
...
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