ASTM D5909-96a

Standard Test Method for Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene Resistance

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 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
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.56 - Printing Inks

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5909-96a(2001) - Standard Test Method for Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene Resistance
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-1996

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn.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: D 5909 – 96a
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Drying Time of Oxidative-Drying Printing Inks by Squalene
1
Resistance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5909; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining 4.1 The test print is affixed to the base of the rub tester. The
the drying time of oxidative-drying printing inks (also referred removable one-half pound weight of the instrument is fitted
to as“ sheetfed inks”) by squalene resistance of printed ink with a piece of rubber blanket and covered with an absorbent
films. towel to which a small amount of squalene oil has been added.
1.2 This test method is applicable to all paste inks that dry The weighted, oil-impregnated towel is allowed to rub back
primarily by oxidation regardless of the substrate on which and forth over the test print for a prescribed number of cycles.
they are printed. With appropriate changes in the test fluid, it 4.2 The receptor towel is examined for evidence of ink
may also be used with paste inks that dry by other mechanisms, transfer from the print. Results may be related qualitatively to
such as heatset or ultraviolet light. an agreed upon standard, or, the intensity of the stain can be
1.3 This test method utilizes a modified rub tester and is measured quantitatively with a colorimeter, spectrophotometer,
intended to serve as a “referee” procedure when laboratories, or other reflectance type device.
using less rigorous test procedures (see Appendix X1), cannot
5. Significance and Use
agree on their results.
5.1 Inadequate setting or drying of sheetfed inks, or both,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the can cause blocking of stacked prints with subsequent loss of
product.“ Setting” of an ink refers to the rapid rise in viscosity
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- of the printed ink film, sometimes accompanied by surface
drying, that prevents transference of the undried ink film to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
adjacent surfaces under light pressure. “Setting” is a property
2. Referenced Documents
of the ink-substrate combination. Inadequate drying may be
2.1 ASTM Standards: due to several factors, but the primary causes are: (1) omission
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or of metallic driers from the ink, improper ink formulation (2)
2
Packaging Components for Testing unusual ink-substrate interactions, and (3) use of a fountain
D 5264 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Printed solution that is too acidic. If the test prints are made on a
2
Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester standard laboratory proof press, where there is no application
of fountain solution, then only the first three possible causes
3. Terminology
can be evaluated. If the prints have been made on a commercial
3.1 Definition of Terms Specific to This Test Method:
production printing press or some other acceptable means of
3.1.1 squalene oil—an organic liquid (C H unsaturated introducing the fountain solution into the ink agreed upon, then
30 50
aliphatic hydrocarbon) that imitates the action of skin oil.
the effect of fountain solution can be determined. It will often
3.1.2 Discussion—Squalene dissolves vehicle components be necessary to run several tests to isolate the specific cause of
in a typical oxidative-drying ink system but not when fully
a drying problem.
polymerized. 5.2 This test method is suitable for most combinations of
3.1.3 blanket—a composite structure, normally a rubber-
oxidative drying inks and substrates. Because this test method
like layer supported by one or more fabric or foam layers, or relies on a visual assessment of the extent of drying, very light
both.
colors and clear varnishes may present difficulties in quantify-
ing the extent of drying. In such cases, the supplier and the
1 customer should agree upon an alternative method of assessing
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint
the drying properties of the ink.
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 1996. Published October 1996. Originally
6. Apparatus
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