ASTM D5909-96a(2006)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene Resistance
Standard Test Method for Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene Resistance
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Inadequate setting or drying of sheetfed inks, or both, can cause blocking of stacked prints with subsequent loss of product. “ Setting” of an ink refers to the rapid rise in viscosity of the printed ink film, sometimes accompanied by surface drying, that prevents transference of the undried ink film to adjacent surfaces under light pressure. “ Setting” is a property of the ink-substrate combination. Inadequate drying may be due to several factors, but the primary causes are: (1) omission of metallic driers from the ink, improper ink formulation (2) unusual ink-substrate interactions, and (3) use of a fountain solution that is too acidic. If the test prints are made on a standard laboratory proof press, where there is no application of fountain solution, then only the first three possible causes can be evaluated. If the prints have been made on a commercial production printing press or some other acceptable means of introducing the fountain solution into the ink agreed upon, then the effect of fountain solution can be determined. It will often be necessary to run several tests to isolate the specific cause of a drying problem.
This test method is suitable for most combinations of oxidative drying inks and substrates. Because this test method relies on a visual assessment of the extent of drying, very light colors and clear varnishes may present difficulties in quantifying the extent of drying. In such cases, the supplier and the customer should agree upon an alternative method of assessing the drying properties of the ink.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the drying time of oxidative-drying printing inks (also referred to as "sheetfed inks") by squalene resistance of printed ink films.
1.2 This test method is applicable to all paste inks that dry primarily by oxidation regardless of the substrate on which they are printed. With appropriate changes in the test fluid, it may also be used with paste inks that dry by other mechanisms, such as heatset or ultraviolet light.
1.3 This test method utilizes a modified rub tester and is intended to serve as a "referee" procedure when laboratories, using less rigorous test procedures (see Appendix X1), cannot agree on their results.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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:D5909–96a(Reapproved2006)
Standard Test Method for
Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene
Resistance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5909; 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 3.1.1 blanket, n—a composite structure, normally a rubber-
like layer supported by one or more fabric or foam layers, or
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
both.
the drying time of oxidative-drying printing inks (also referred
3.1.2 squalene oil, n—an organic liquid (C H unsatu-
to as “sheetfed inks”) by squalene resistance of printed ink 30 50
rated aliphatic hydrocarbon) that imitates the action of skin oil.
films.
3.1.3 Discussion—Squalene dissolves vehicle components
1.2 This test method is applicable to all paste inks that dry
in a typical oxidative-drying ink system but not when fully
primarily by oxidation regardless of the substrate on which
polymerized.
they are printed. With appropriate changes in the test fluid, it
mayalsobeusedwithpasteinksthatdrybyothermechanisms,
4. Summary of Test Method
such as heatset or ultraviolet light.
4.1 The test print is affixed to the base of the rub tester. The
1.3 This test method utilizes a modified rub tester and is
removable one-half pound weight of the instrument is fitted
intended to serve as a “referee” procedure when laboratories,
with a piece of rubber blanket and covered with an absorbent
using less rigorous test procedures (see Appendix X1), cannot
towel to which a small amount of squalene oil has been added.
agree on their results.
The weighted, oil-impregnated towel is allowed to rub back
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
and forth over the test print for a prescribed number of cycles.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
4.2 The receptor towel is examined for evidence of ink
only.
transfer from the print. Results may be related qualitatively to
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
an agreed upon standard, or, the intensity of the stain can be
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
measuredquantitativelywithacolorimeter,spectrophotometer,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or other reflectance type device.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 Inadequate setting or drying of sheetfed inks, or both,
2 can cause blocking of stacked prints with subsequent loss of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
product. “ Setting” of an ink refers to the rapid rise in viscosity
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
of the printed ink film, sometimes accompanied by surface
Packaging Components for Testing
drying, that prevents transference of the undried ink film to
D5264 Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materi-
adjacent surfaces under light pressure. “ Setting” is a property
als by the Sutherland Rub Tester
of the ink-substrate combination. Inadequate drying may be
3. Terminology due to several factors, but the primary causes are: (1) omission
of metallic driers from the ink, improper ink formulation (2)
3.1 Definition of Terms Specific to This Test Method:
unusual ink-substrate interactions, and (3) use of a fountain
solution that is too acidic. If the test prints are made on a
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
standard laboratory proof press, where there is no application
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
of fountain solution, then only the first three possible causes
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
canbeevaluated.Iftheprintshavebeenmadeonacommercial
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published November 2006. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D5909 – 96a (2001).
production printing press or some other acceptable means of
DOI: 10.1520/D5909-96AR06.
introducingthefountainsolutionintotheinkagreedupon,then
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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D5909–96a (2006)
the effect of fountain solution can be determined. It will often 10. Procedure
be necessary to run several tests to isolate the specific cause of
10.1 Using the manufacturer’s instructions, ink up the
a drying problem.
laboratory printing apparatus and pull a print on the agreed
5.2 This test method is suitable for most combinations of
upon substrate. Measure the optical density. If not within
oxidative drying inks and substrates. Because this test method
60.05 of the desired value, discard and apply more or less ink
relies on a visual assessment of the extent of drying, very light
to the print maker. Prepare a sufficient number of prints so that,
colors and clear varnishes may present difficulties in quantify-
after cutting, there will be a minimum of six specimens each
ing the extent of drying. In such cases, the supplier and the
about 47 by 115 mm. Record the time of printing on each
customer should agree upon an alternative method of assessing
specimen.
the drying properties of the ink.
NOTE 1—The wide rubber disk of the bench type print tester produces
6. Apparatus
a printed strip 47-mm wide and 230-mm long; by cutting in half
cross-wise, two 47 by 115 mm specimens per print are obtained.The plate
6.1 Rub Tester, conforming to Test Method D5264 but
of a common flat-bed proof press is 102 by 153 mm and also gives two 47
equipped with a special one-half pound weight and modified as
by 115 mm specimens per print. In each case, three prints are needed to
in Section 9.
provide six test specimens.
6.2 Laboratory Printing Apparatus, capable of preparing
test prints from a blanket or rubber covered-printing disk (that
10.2 A few minutes before an hour has elapsed, clamp a
is, by the dry offset mode).The minimum print size is about 47
single thickness piece of toweling to the receptor block of the
by 115 mm.
rub tester. With a pipet or eye dropper, place fi
...
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