ASTM D5264-98(2019)

Standard Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Abrasion resistance is a desirable and sometimes critical property of printed materials. Abrasion damage can occur during shipment, storage, handling, and end use. The result is a significant decrease in product appearance and legibility of product information. The amount of abrasion damage to a printed substrate is dependent on shipping conditions, possibly temperature and humidity, time, and many other variables. This practice provides a way of comparing abrasion resistance of printed materials under laboratory conditions.  
5.2 This practice also can be used to evaluate the relative abrasion resistance of printed inks, coatings, laminates, and substrates.  
5.3 This practice can be modified to measure the effects of the product (detergent powder, food, beverages, etc.) on abrasion resistance, as may occur in spillage or leakage in transit.  
5.4 This practice can provide a reasonably simple procedure that can be used by both the buyer and the seller of printed materials to determine if the product offered for sale meets some predetermined standard for abrasion or scuff resistance.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for determining the abrasion resistance of printed materials using the Sutherland Rub Tester, or its equivalent, equipped with full-width rubber pads and using standardized receptors.  
1.2 This practice is applicable to labels, folding cartons, corrugated boxes, inserts, circulars, and other packaging materials having applied graphics on a flat substrate.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2019
• ICS: 37.100.10 - Reproduction equipment
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.14 - Tape and Labels

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5264-98(2011) - Standard Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4332-13 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2013
• Refers: ASTM E122-09e1 - Standard Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Refers: ASTM D996-10a - Standard Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM E122-09 - Standard Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2009
• Refers: ASTM E122-07 - Standard Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01(2006) - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM D996-04 - Standard Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D996-02 - Standard Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Refers: ASTM D996-99 - Standard Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Refers: ASTM D4332-99 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01e1 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4332-00 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01e2 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001

Overview

ASTM D5264-98(2019), Standard Practice for Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester, is a widely recognized standard developed by ASTM International. This standard outlines a laboratory procedure for determining the abrasion resistance of printed materials using the Sutherland Rub Tester, or equivalent apparatus. Understanding abrasion resistance is crucial in evaluating the durability and quality of printed graphics on various packaging and printed substrates. Abrasion can occur during shipping, handling, storage, and end use, potentially affecting product appearance and information legibility. This standard enables manufacturers, buyers, and sellers to compare and assess abrasion resistance under controlled conditions, supporting quality assurance and compliance with customer requirements.

Key Topics

• Abrasion Resistance: The standard defines abrasion resistance as the ability of a printed surface to withstand mechanical wear and resist the removal or smudging of inks, coatings, or laminates.
• Test Procedures: The method describes mounting a specimen on a Sutherland Rub Tester using standardized rubber pads and receptors. Test conditions such as temperature, humidity, and number of strokes are controlled to ensure comparability and reproducibility.
• Applicable Materials: Suitable for flat substrates such as labels, folding cartons, corrugated boxes, inserts, circulars, and other packaging materials with applied graphics.
• Evaluation Criteria: After testing, the printed specimen and receptor are examined for visual degradation and ink transfer, and results are compared to reference samples or agreed-upon standards.
• Adaptability: This practice can be adjusted to evaluate the effects of contact with various products, such as detergents, food, or beverages, simulating potential conditions during transit or storage.
• Buyer-Seller Assurance: Provides a clear, simple, and mutually accessible method for both buyers and sellers to confirm whether printed materials meet abrasion or scuff resistance requirements.

Applications

ASTM D5264-98(2019) brings practical value to a variety of industries:

• Packaging Manufacturers: Ensure labels, boxes, and inserts retain print quality throughout the supply chain.
• Print Service Providers: Compare abrasion resistance of different inks, coatings, laminates, and substrates, supporting material and process optimization.
• Product Brand Owners: Protect product information, branding, and regulatory compliance by verifying the durability of printed packaging.
• Quality Control Laboratories: Carry out repeated, standardized abrasion tests under controlled conditions for product development, benchmarking, and quality audits.
• R&D and Material Selection: Evaluate the impact of new inks, coatings, substrates, or alternative processes for improved abrasion resistance.
• Compliance and Procurement: Facilitate clear quality specifications in purchase agreements and supplier quality assurance programs.

Related Standards

To provide a more comprehensive assessment of printed material durability and packaging integrity, ASTM D5264-98(2019) references the following key standards:

• ASTM D996 - Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
• ASTM D4332 - Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• ASTM E122 - Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process

These related ASTM standards assist in setting up accurate environmental conditions, using consistent terminology, and calculating appropriate sample sizes for testing.

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By following ASTM D5264-98(2019), organizations ensure reliable, repeatable, and industry-accepted abrasion resistance testing of printed materials, contributing to higher product quality, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance across the global packaging and printing sectors.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5264 − 98 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland
Rub Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5264; 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 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 abrasion resistance—ability of a printed surface to
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for determining the
resist mechanical destruction.
abrasion resistance of printed materials using the Sutherland
Rub Tester, or its equivalent, equipped with full-width rubber
3.2.2 abrasiveness—the degree to which another material
pads and using standardized receptors.
can abrade the surface of the test specimen.
1.2 This practice is applicable to labels, folding cartons,
3.2.3 receptor—film or paper of a specified abrasiveness
corrugated boxes, inserts, circulars, and other packaging ma-
onto which coatings (for example, ink or protective coating)
terials having applied graphics on a flat substrate.
removed from the specimen are deposited during the abrasion
test.
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 appro- 4. Summary of Practice
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 The test specimen is mounted on top of the rubber pad
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
on the Sutherland base and the receptor is cut to fit the 0.91-kg
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
(2-lb) or the 1.81-kg (4-lb) weight (depending on which one is
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
being used). The receptor is mounted to the weight. The test
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
durationisdeterminedbythenumberofstrokes(astrokeisone
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
back-and-forth cycle) the sample is rubbed. The number of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
strokes desired is preset on the SutherlandTimer.The weight is
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
mounted on the Sutherland and the machine is turned on. The
Sutherlandwillshutoffautomaticallywhenthedesirednumber
2. Referenced Documents
of strokes is completed.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 The test specimen is removed from the Sutherland base
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
and examined for degree of print degradation. The receptor is
ments
analyzed for the amount of ink transferred from the specimen.
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Results are compared to an agreed upon standard sample tested
Packaging Components for Testing
in the identical fashion.
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
5. Significance and Use
Lot or Process
5.1 Abrasion resistance is a desirable and sometimes critical
3. Terminology
property of printed materials. Abrasion damage can occur
3.1 General definitions for packaging and distribution are
during shipment, storage, handling, and end use. The result is
found in Terminology D996.
a significant decrease in product appearance and legibility of
product information. The amount of abrasion damage to a
1 printed substrate is dependent on shipping conditions, possibly
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.14 on Tape and Labels. temperatureandhumidity,time,andmanyothervariables.This
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2019. Published August 2019. Originally
practice provides a way of comparing abrasion resistance of
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D5264 – 98 (2011).
printed materials under laboratory conditions.
DOI: 10.1520/D5264-98R19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.2 This practice also can be used to evaluate the relative
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
abrasion resistance of printed inks, coatings, laminates, and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. substrates.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5264 − 98 (Reapproved 2019)
5.3 This practice can be modified to measure the effects of the test area. An appropriate receptor from the following list
the product (detergent powder, food, beverages, etc.) on should be selected in accordance with 8.2:
abrasion resistance, as may occur in spillage or leakage in 7.1.1 Unprinted Sheet of Substrate,
transit. 7.1.2 Printed Sheet Identical to Substrate (face-to-face),
7.1.3 Pressure-sensitivetapeoranytapesuitableforholding
5.4 This practice can provide a reasonably simple procedure
the sample without interfering with the operation of the tester.
that can be used by both the buyer and the seller of printed
materials to determine if the product offered for sale meets
8. Preparation of Apparatus
some predetermined standard for abrasion or scuff resistance.
8.1 Set the Sutherland Rub Tes
...