ASTM D6531-00(2010)
(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 D2066 are inappropriate due to severe floating problems with aqueous systems.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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.
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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 (Reapproved 2010)
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 E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
E1331Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by
the relative tinting strength of waterbased ink systems using a
Spectrophotometry Using Hemispherical Geometry
computer-aided spectrophotometer.
E1347Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Mea-
1.2 This test method is applicable to waterbased printing
surement by Tristimulus Colorimetry
inksandbasestobeusedprimarilyinflexographicandgravure
E1349Test 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
3. Terminology
reference standard containing a pigment of the identical color
index name and number.
3.1 Definitions related to color differences are covered in
Practice D2244. The definitions of tinting strength terms are
1.4 The procedure in this test method specifies placing
given in Test Methods D2066.
tinted samples in a cuvette for spectrophotometric measure-
ments. The use of thick wet drawdowns as in Test Methods
4. Summary of Test Method
D2066 are inappropriate due to severe floating problems with
aqueous systems. 4.1 A standard and unknown samples are each reduced to
the same concentration in a white tinting base then dispersed
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
on a paint shaker.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4.2 The dispersed samples are transferred to cuvettes for
standard.
reflectance measurements on a spectrophotometer. Hue and
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
strength relative to the standard tint are computed.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
NOTE 1—The hue readings indicate the closeness of the unknown
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 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
D2066Test Methods for Relative Tinting Strength of Paste-
equivalency of dry printed films, they provide useful param-
Type Printing Ink Dispersions
eters for quality control of production batches of bases and
D2244Practice 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
70 mm in height, with screw cap lids.
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2010. Published December 2010. Originally
6.2 Paint Shaker.
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D6531–00(2005).
DOI: 10.1520/D6531-00R10.
6.3 Spectrophotometer, with small-area view (10-mm
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
aperture, diffuse/8° geometry) and with a computer and soft-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ware to measure reflectance factor, calculate color differences
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. by CIELAB 1976 equation. Tinting strength is calculated by a
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6531 − 00 (2010)
Kubelka-Monk equation transformed from the lowest tristimu- 9.8 Shake sample jars for five minutes.
lus value.Alternate instrumentation and software may be used
9.9 Stop the paint shaker and invert the sample jars. Shake
by agreement between producer and user, or different plant
for another five minutes.
locations.
9.10 Visually check the jars to make sure that the tints are
6.4 Disposable Cuvettes, 10 mm in diameter, with at least
uniform with no white remaining, especially in the corners of
one optically true face.
the jar. If any white remains, repeat 9.8 until it is completely
6.5 Disposable Pipettes 7-mL capacity, 3.5-mL bulb draw mixed.
or suitable substitute.
9.11 Let the samples sit for five minutes so the air bubbles
6.6 Balance, capacity 100 g, accurate to 10 mg, preferably can dissipate.
1 mg.
10. Procedure for Spectrophotometric Measurements
6.7 Black Electrical Tape.
10.1 CalibratethespectrophotometerwithD65lightsource,
6.8 Black Cover, 90 mm in diameter such as 1-lb ink can,
10° observer, and specular component included. (See 10.9.)
with interior painted flat black.
10.2 Referring to the manual of the software that is being
6.9 Ink Knives, small.
used, set the computer to measure the reflectance of the
6.10 Medicine Droppers.
standard sample.
10.3 Remove port cover and center an empty cuvette over
7. Materials
the port with the optically true side facing the light source.
7.1 Standard Ink or Base—The standard should be 100%
Tape it in place using the black electrical tape.
intended strength of the same pigmentation and similar in
10.4 Open the tint of standard sample and stir it with a
viscosity to the unknown sample.
disposable pipet to insure homogeneity. Fill the pipet with the
7.2 White Tinting Base, compatible with and of a viscosity
tint.
similar to samples being tested.
10.5 Touch the tip of the pipet to the inside surface of the
8. Sampling
cuvette that the spectrophotometer will read, and fill the
cuvette to above the level of the spectrophotometer port in one
8.1 Carefully select a sample that is free of skin and other
continuous motion. If it is not, the specimen will not
...
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