ASTM D6073-96(2001)

Standard Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks by the Sinvatrol Tester

SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for determining the relative setting speed of heatset inks using a specific tester.  
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.  
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 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-Dec-2000
• 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 D6073-96 - Standard Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks by the Sinvatrol Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM D6073-08 - Standard Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks by the Heatset Tester
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-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-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D7680-10(2020) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks by a Motor-Driven Printability Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D6846-02(2020) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D6073–96 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks by the Sinvatrol
Tester
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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 heatset printing ink—an ink typically containing ali-
phatic hydrocarbon solvents that evaporate at elevated tem-
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for determin-
peratures.
ing the relative setting speed of heatset inks using a specific
tester.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 This test method is applicable to printing inks intended
4.1 A printing gage is used to prepare a laboratory print
to be dried by the application of heat and for which a suitable
containing both the test sample and a standard ink. The freshly
reference standard is available.
prepared print is immediately subjected to forced hot air in the
1.3 Although heatset inks are normally printed by the offset
tester, which is initially set at 350°F (177°C) and a belt speed
process, this test method specifies the direct letterpress mode
of 30 fpm (0.15 m/s).
because the higher ink film thicknesses obtained tend to
4.2 The print is cooled, overlaid with a clean sheet of stock,
amplify subtle differences in ink setting speed.
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
temperatures until either the test sample or the standard
stated first in U.S. Customary Units (inch pound units of
exhibits setoff and the other does not, or it is established that
measurements). The values given in parentheses are for infor-
both are the same. The sample is then reported to dry faster
mation only.
than, slower than, or equal to the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 The setting speed of heatset printing inks is important
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
because it influences the efficiency of the drying process. This
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
test method provides a means for comparing the setting of a
heatset ink directly against a standard at the same conditions of
2. Referenced Documents
temperature and exposure time. While the method does not
2.1 ASTM Standards:
determine the setting speed of an ink on a production press, it
D 1316 Test Method for Fineness of Grind of Printing Inks
3 is useful for specification acceptance between the supplier and
by the NPIRI Grindometer
the customer.
3. Terminology 5.2 The setting speed of a printing ink depends on a number
of variables such as the stock on which it is printed, the film
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
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
these reasons, it is important to conduct the tests under
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
conditions that are controlled and as realistic as practical.
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1996. Published February 1997.
6. Apparatus
Thesolesourceofsupplyofthetester,Sinvatrolknowntothecommitteeatthis
time is the Flint Ink Corp., 25111 Glendale, Detroit, MI 48239. If you are aware of
6.1 Tester, equipped with a forced hot air oven and print
alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your
delivery system. The air temperature can be adjusted between
comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
1 100 and 600°F (38 and 315°C) and the speed of the print
technical committee, which you may attend.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.02. delivery unit between 0 and 100 fpm (0 and 0.5 m/s). The print
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6073
delivery system allows the print to be exposed to hot air from 7.5 Wash-up Materials, including an appropriate solvent
the top and bottom at the same time. and lint free rags or tissues.
6.2 Laboratory Flatbed Printing Apparatus.
6.3 Printing Gage, consisting of a type-high block of steel 8. Sampling and Test Specimen
0.918 in. (23.3 mm) in height; the top surface is precision-
8.1 Carefully select a sample that is free of skin and other
machined to contain a single constant-depth path approxi-
contamination and representative of the lot being evaluated.
mately 3 by 7 ⁄2 in. (76 by 190 mm), which is inked by means
The minimum sample per print is less than 0.034 oz. (1 mL).
of a drawdown blade. A milled depth of 0.4 mils (10 µm) is
Transfer to a clean container, protect with skin paper, close and
recommended for coated paper and other smooth substrates.
seal.
Deeper plates may be necessary for rougher substrates.Typical
8.2 When ready to make a print, remove enough sample for
pathdepthsandcorrespondinginkfilmthicknessesaregivenin
one test, then close and reseal the container.
Table 1.
9. Preparation of Apparatus
TABLE 1 Relationship Between Gage Depth and Ink Film
9.1 Tester:
Thickness
9.1.1 Prior to operation of the tester, carefully read the
Machined Depth of Gage Ink Film Thickness
instructions in the manufacturer’s literature.
A
On Gage On Substrate
B C 9.1.2 Set the tester on a work bench in a laboratory having
mils µm Letterpress, Dry Offset,
µm
µm µm
adequate ventilation and space to accommodate the printing
D
0.2 54 2 1
apparatus in close proximity.
0.3 7.5 6 3 1.5
D,E
9.1.3 Provide a power supply consisting of a 30-Acircuit or
0.4 10 8 4 2
D
0.6 15 12 6 3
two separate 15-A circuits in order to accommodate the two
A
Presuming 80 % path fillage. 15-A heat guns without overload.
B
Presuming 50 % ink transfer from gage to substrate.
9.1.4 Adjust the speed control knobs to the starting point for
C
Presuming 50 % ink transfer both to blanket and to substrate.
D 1 the tests, typically 30 fpm (0.15 m/s). In older units, it may be
Available on the 3-path FPBAAPlate C. Each path is 1 ⁄4 by 4 in. (3.2 ca by 10
cm). necessary to adjust the speed with the carrier on the belt.
E 4
Available on the single-path gage (described in 6.3).
9.1.5 Prior to the first use of the day, warm up the tester to
350°F (177°C) by turning on
...