ASTM D6336-11(2017)

Standard Practice for Evaluation of Flushing Vehicles for Pigment Wetting Using a Vacuum Modified Sigma Blade Mixer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 By following this practice it is possible to make reproducible flushes when using the same raw materials. Therefore, if someone wishes to evaluate the effect a different raw material has on a flush, it is possible to evaluate this effect by noting the change that occurs from a control flush to the experimental flush. This change can be, but is not limited to; such things as strength after vacuum, grind, grit, gloss etc. This practice can be used by ink companies, pigment companies or varnish companies. This practice is not meant to give absolute values but is meant to be used as a relative practice in which a control flush is made using a standard formula and the experimental flush is compared to the control flush. This practice is not meant to determine the absolute performance of a formula in production. Again it can be used to give a relative idea of how a formula will perform in production when a correlation has been established between laboratory flushing and production flushing.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers guidelines for the evaluations of flushing vehicles for pigment dispersion using a vacuum modified sigma blade mixer, or vacuum flusher.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 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-Jan-2017
• ICS: 43.160 - Special purpose vehicles
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.37 - Ink Vehicles

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D6336 −11 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Flushing Vehicles for Pigment Wetting Using a
Vacuum Modified Sigma Blade Mixer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6336; 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. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.1 This practice covers guidelines for the evaluations of
flushing vehicles for pigment dispersion using a vacuum 3.1.1 additives, n—various materials that are used in rela-
tively small quantities to condition the pigment or vehicle.
modified sigma blade mixer, or vacuum flusher.
3.1.2 break, n—the action that takes place when water is
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
separated from the pigment in a presscake.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
3.1.3 flushed color, n—a color base in paste form prepared
by flushing.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.4 flusher, n—a mixing device that has two sigma shaped
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- agitator blades parallel to each other, turning in opposing
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
directions at different speeds.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.4.1 Discussion—Themixingactionofaflusheristhatof
kneading.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.5 flushing, n—a method of transferring pigments from
dispersionsinwatertodispersionsinoilbythedisplacementof
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the water by oil.
D280 Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other
3.1.5.1 Discussion—The resulting dispersions of flushing
Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
are known as flushed colors.
D387 Test Method for Color and Strength of Chromatic
Pigments with a Mechanical Muller
3.1.6 pigment, n—the fine solid particles of colorant used to
D1316 Test Method for Fineness of Grind of Printing Inks
give color to printing inks.
By the NPIRI Grindometer
3.1.6.1 Discussion—The pigment particles are substantially
D2066 Test Methods for Relative Tinting Strength of Paste-
insoluble in the vehicle and in water.
Type Printing Ink Dispersions
3.1.7 presscake, n—a mixture of pigment and water formed
D2067 Test Method for Coarse Particles in Printing Ink
into a cake by passing through a filter press under pressure.
Dispersions
3.1.8 vacuum cycle, n—the time a flush is under vacuum to
D4017 Test Method for Water in Paints and Paint Materials
remove entrapped water.
by Karl Fischer Method
3.1.9 vehicle, n—the liquid portion of an ink that holds and
D4040 Test Method for Rheological Properties of Paste
carries the pigment, provides workability and drying properties
Printing and Vehicles by the Falling-Rod Viscometer
and binds the pigment to the substrate after the ink has dried.
D4361 Test Method for Apparent Tack of Printing Inks and
Vehicles by a Three-Roller Tackmeter
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Vehicle,pigmentpresscake,andadditivesareaddedinto
a sigma blade mixer and mixed until the water is displaced
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
from the pigment presscake.
Subcommittee D01.37 on Ink Vehicles.
4.2 Step 4.1 is repeated two or three times until the capacity
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2017. Published February 2017. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D6336 – 11. DOI:
of the flusher has been reached.
10.1520/D6336-11R17.
4.3 Theflusheristhensealedandavacuumapplieduntilthe
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
dispersion (flush) is free of moisture.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. NOTE 1—Lithol rubine pigment undergoes a color conversion when
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6336−11 (2017)
essentially all water is removed. flush the required amount of pigment in a succession of breaks (see Fig.
1).
4.4 Vehicle solvent and additives are added to adjust the
NOTE 3—Many formulas call for two or more kinds of oil or varnish or
strength, shade and body of the dispersion (flush) to that of a
resin solution etc. Directions are usually very specific as to how much
standard dispersion (flush). should be used, when the various items should be added, and the order in
which they are added. It is normal practice to add these items in the same
5. Significance and Use order as shown on the formula. The vehicle having the best pigment
wetting property is usually added first. In some formulas, however,
5.1 By following this practice it is possible to make repro-
judgment is left to the operator, as predictions cannot be made.
ducible flushes when using the same raw materials. Therefore,
NOTE 4—Flushing aids are very effective and should be used with care
and good judgment.
if someone wishes to evaluate the effect a different raw
material has on a flush, it is possible to evaluate this effect by
8.2 First Break:
noting the change that occurs from a control flush to the
8.2.1 Add prescribed quantity of presscake to the flusher.
experimental flush. This change can be, but is not limited to;
8.2.1.1 The presscake should be analyzed for dry weight or
suchthingsasstrengthaftervacuum,grind,grit,glossetc.This
solids according to Test Methods D280.
practice can be used by ink companies, pigment companies or
8.2.1.2 All presscake should be weighed before it is charged
varnish companies. This practice is not meant to give absolute
to the flusher.
values but is meant to be used as a relative practice in which a
8.2.2 Agitate for 2 to 5 min. If using a multispeed flusher,
control flush is made using a standard formula and the
agitate at low speed for 1 to 2 min then at high speed for 2 to
experimental flush is compared to the control flush. This
5 min.
practice is not meant to determine the absolute performance of
8.2.3 Add flushing additive(s) if required.
a formula in production.Again it can be used to give a relative
8.2.4 Add vehicle in small quantities until break occurs.
idea of how a formula will perform in production when a
Remember you can always put vehicle in but never take it out.
correlation has been established between laboratory flushing
Therefore, always work the vehicle into the presscake well
and production flushing.
before adding more.
8.2.5 When the flush mass begins to form (water is flushed
6. Apparatus
out) continue to mix until the water clears, then drain.
6.1 Laboratory Sigma Blade Flusher, typically 1-L(1-qt) to
8.2.6 Run the flusher on high speed for 30 to 45 s and drain
4-L (1-gal) capacity.
again. Do this until no more water is flushed from the system.
6.2 Vacuum Pump, capable of obtaining a vacuum in the
NOTE 5—First breaks generally use 45 to 55 % of the pigment and 55
flusher of 69 cm (27 in.) to 76 cm (30 in.). to 60 % of the vehicle. First breaks are usually soft so it is very important
to drain well.Also it is important that the mixer’s sides should be scraped
6.3 Wide Blade Spatula, typically 5 by 10 c
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6336 − 11 D6336 − 11 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Flushing Vehicles for Pigment Wetting Using a
Vacuum Modified Sigma Blade Mixer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6336; 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
1.1 This practice covers guidelines for the evaluations of flushing vehicles for pigment dispersion using a vacuum modified
sigma blade mixer, or vacuum flusher.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D280 Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
D387 Test Method for Color and Strength of Chromatic Pigments with a Mechanical Muller
D1316 Test Method for Fineness of Grind of Printing Inks By the NPIRI Grindometer
D2066 Test Methods for Relative Tinting Strength of Paste-Type Printing Ink Dispersions
D2067 Test Method for Coarse Particles in Printing Ink Dispersions
D4017 Test Method for Water in Paints and Paint Materials by Karl Fischer Method
D4040 Test Method for Rheological Properties of Paste Printing and Vehicles by the Falling-Rod Viscometer
D4361 Test Method for Apparent Tack of Printing Inks and Vehicles by a Three-Roller Tackmeter
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 additives, n—various materials that are used in relatively small quantities to condition the pigment or vehicle.
3.1.2 break, n—the action that takes place when water is separated from the pigment in a presscake.
3.1.3 flushed color, n—a color base in paste form prepared by flushing.
3.1.4 flusher, n—a mixing device that has two sigma shaped agitator blades parallel to each other, turning in opposing directions
at different speeds.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.37 on Ink Vehicles.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011Feb. 1, 2017. Published November 2011February 2017. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20042011
as D6336 – 98 (2004)D6336 – 11. which was withdrawn in 2010 and reinstated in November 2011. DOI: 10.1520/D6336-11.DOI: 10.1520/D6336-11R17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
The mixing action of a flusher is that of kneading.
3.1.5 flushing, n—a method of transferring pigments from dispersions in water to dispersions in oil by the displacement of the
water by oil.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6336 − 11 (2017)
The resulting dispersions of flushing are known as flushed colors.
3.1.6 pigment, n—the fine solid particles of colorant used to give color to printing inks.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—
The pigment particles are substantially insoluble in the vehicle and in water.
3.1.7 presscake, n—a mixture of pigment and water formed into a cake by passing through a filter press under pressure.
3.1.8 vacuum cycle, n—the time a flush is under vacuum to remove entrapped water.
3.1.9 vehicle, n—the liquid portion of an ink that holds and carries the pigment, provides workability and drying properties and
binds the pigment to the substrate after the ink has dried.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Vehicle, pigment presscake, and additives are added into a sigma blade mixer and mixed until the water is displaced from
the pigment presscake.
4.2 Step 4.1 is repeated two or three times until the capacity of the flusher has been reached.
4.3 The flusher is then sealed and a vacuum applied until the dispersion (flush) is free of moisture.
NOTE 1—Lithol rubine pigment undergoes a color conversion when essentially all water is removed.
4.4 Vehicle solvent and additives are added to adjust the strength, shade and body of the dispersion (flush) to that of a standard
dispersion (flush).
5. Significance and Use
5.1 By following this practice it is possible to make reproducible flushes when using the same raw materials. Therefore, if
someone wishes to evaluate the effect a different raw material has on a flush, it is possible to evaluate this effect by noting the
change that occurs from a control flush to the experimental flush. This change can be, but is not limited to; such things as strength
after vacuum, grind, grit, gloss etc. This practice can be used by ink companies, pigment companies or varnish companies. This
practice is not meant to give absolute values but is meant to be used as a relative practice in which a control flush is made using
a standard formula and the experimental flush is compared to the control flush. This practice is not meant to determine the absolute
performance of a formula in production. Again it can be used to give a relative idea of how a formula will perform in production
when a correlation has been established between laboratory flushing and production flushing.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Laboratory Sigma Blade Flusher, typically 1-L (1-qt) to 4-L (1-gal) capacity.
6.2 Vacuum Pump, capable of obtaining a vacuum in the flusher of 69 cm (27 in.) to 76 cm (30 in.).
6.3 Wide Blade Spatula, typically 5 by 10 cm (2 by 4 in.).
6.4 Spatula, typically 2.5 by 7.5 cm (1 by 3 in.).
6.5 Scale, capable of weighing up to 3 kg accurate to 1 g.
6.6 Scale, capable of weighing up to 1 kg, accurate to 1 g.
7. Materials
7.1 Presscake.
7.2 Flushing Vehicle(s).
7.3 Experimental Vehicle.
7.4 Flushing Additives.
8. Procedure
8.1 Fig. 1 illustrates a typical formula for a 1-L laboratory flusher.
NOTE 2—It is common practice for formulas to be based on the amount of pigment calculated on a dry basis and not on the weight of presscake, since
the amount of water in the presscake will vary from batch to batch. For example, a presscake can be referred to as 25 % dry or 25 % solids. This means
that for every 100 kg of presscake there are 25 kg of pigment and 75 kg of water. Usually the entire quantity of presscake to be flushed will not fit in
the flusher at one time. If this is the case, it is necessary to flush the required amount of pigment in a succession of breaks (see Fig. 1).
NOTE 3—Many formulas call for two or more kinds of oil or varnish or resin solution etc. Directions are usually very specific as to how much should
be used, when the various items should be added, and the order in which they are added. It is normal practice to add these items in the same order as
D6336 − 11 (2017)
FIG. 1 Development Flushing Form
D6336 − 11 (2017)
shown on the formula. The vehicle having the best pigment wetting property is usually added first. In some formulas, however, judgment is left to the
oper
...