ASTM D6073-08a(2020)

Standard Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks

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 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.  
5.2 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 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 D6073-08a(2013) - Standard Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D6846-02(2012) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D6846-02(2007) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM D6846-02 - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2002
• 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-2020
• 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-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D6846-02(2020) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020

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: D6073 − 08a (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for determin-
D6846 Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks
ing the relative setting speed of heatset inks using a tester
with a Printing Gage
consisting of a forced hot air oven and print delivery system.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method is applicable to printing inks intended
to be dried by the application of heat and for which a suitable
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
reference standard is available.
3.1.1 heatset printing ink, n—an ink typically containing
aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents that evaporate at elevated
1.3 Although heatset inks are normally printed by the offset
temperatures.
process, this test method specifies the direct letterpress mode
because the higher ink film thicknesses obtained tend to
4. Summary of Test Method
amplify subtle differences in ink setting speed. Prints are
4.1 A printing gage is used to prepare a laboratory print
prepared by a flatbed printing apparatus using a constant depth
containing both the test sample and a standard ink. The freshly
printing gage.
prepared print is immediately subjected to forced hot air in the
1.4 This tester reads temperature and belt speed in nonmet-
tester, which is initially set at 350°F (177°C) and a belt speed
ric terms; therefore, instrument settings in this test method are of 30 fpm (0.15 m/s).
stated first in U.S. Customary Units (inch pound units of
4.2 The print is cooled, overlaid with a clean sheet of stock,
measurements). The values given in parentheses are for infor-
passed through the printing apparatus, and examined for setoff.
mation only.
4.3 The process is repeated at different belt speeds or
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
temperatures until either the test sample or the standard
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical exhibits setoff and the other does not, or it is established that
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
both are the same. The sample is then reported to dry faster
and are not considered standard. than, slower than, or equal to the standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1 The setting speed of heatset printing inks is important
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
because it influences the efficiency of the drying process. This
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
test method provides a means for comparing the setting of a
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
heatset ink directly against a standard at the same conditions of
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
temperature and exposure time. While the method does not
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
determine the setting speed of an ink on a production press, it
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
is useful for specification acceptance between the supplier and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the customer.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.2 The setting speed of a printing ink depends on a number
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ofvariablessuchasthesubstrateonwhichitisprinted,thefilm
thicknessontheprint,thetemperatureoftheforcedair,therate
of air flow, and the time that the print is subjected to heat. For
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. 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 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D6073 – 08a (2013). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D6073-08AR20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6073 − 08a (2020)
these reasons, it is important to conduct the tests under 7.2 Printing Substrate,suchaspaper,paperboardorotheras
conditions that are controlled and as realistic as practical. agreed upon between the supplier and customer, cut to 8 ⁄2 by
11 in. (216 by 280 mm) or other size appropriate to the printing
6. Apparatus
apparatus.
6.1 Tester, equipped with a forced hot air oven and print
7.3 Carrier, consisting of a sheet of cardboard approxi-
carrier system consisting of heat resistant revolving belts that
mately 8 ⁄2 by 11 in. (216 by 280 mm), with a hole cut in the
act as the print delivery system. The air temperature is
center that is slightly larger than the size of the print produced
adjustable between 100 and 600°F (38 and 315°C) and the
by the laboratory printing apparatus.
speed of the print delivery unit between 0 and 100 fpm (0 and
7.4 Setoff Sheet,cuttothesamesizeastheprintingsubstrate
0.5 m/s). The print delivery system allows the print to be
(7.2).Iftheprintingsubstrateispaper,filmorfoil,usethesame
exposed to hot air from the top and bottom at the same time.
material. If paperboard, use coated paper 5 to 6 mils (1.1 to 1.4
6.2 Laboratory Flatbed Printing Apparatus.
µm) in thickness.
6.3 Printing Gage, conforming to Practice D6846, consist-
7.5 Wash-up Materials, including an appropriate solvent
ing of a type-high block of steel 0.918 in. (23.3 mm) in height;
and lint free rags or tissues.
the top surface is precision-machined to contain a single
constant-depth path approximately 3 by 7 ⁄2 in. (76 by 190
8. Sampling and Test Specimen
mm), which is inked by means of a drawdown blade.Amilled
8.1 Carefully select a sample that is free of skin and other
depthof0.4mils(10µm)isrecommendedforcoatedpaperand
contamination and representative of the lot being evaluated.
other smooth substrates. Deeper plates may be necessary for
The minimum sample per print is less than 0.034 oz. (1 mL).
rougher substrates. Typical path depths and corresponding ink
Transfer to a clean container, protect with skin paper, close and
film thicknesses are given in Table 1.
seal.
8.2 When ready to make a print, remove enough sample for
one test, then close and reseal the container.
TABLE 1 Relationship Between Gage Depth and Ink Film
Thickness
9. Preparation of Apparatus
Machined Depth of Gage Ink Film Thickness
A
On Gage On Substrate
B C 9.1 Tester:
mils µm
Letterpress, Dry Offset,
µm
µm µm
9.1.1 Prior to operation of the tester, carefully read the
D
0.2 54 2 1
instructions in the manufacturer’s literature.
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