1、Designation: D 7244 06aStandard Test Method forRelative Cure of Energy-Cured Inks and Coatings1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 7244; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A
2、 number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method describes the procedure for evaluatingthe relative cure of printed energy-cured (ultraviolet or electronbeam) ink or
3、 coating by a mechanical solvent rub test using amotorized Crockmeter.1.2 This test method is applicable to laboratory and produc-tion prints on any flat substrate that is no thicker than 3 mm(0.125 in.), durable enough to withstand the test conditions,and for which a control (reference) sample is a
4、vailable.1.3 This test method applies to comparisons betweenenergy-cured inks and coatings of the same chemistry and filmweight and should not be used to compare different ink orcoating chemistries or various applied film weights withoutfirst establishing process performance.1.4 The values stated in
5、 SI units are to be regarded as thestandard. The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and hea
6、lth practices and to determine theapplicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 Other Standards:AATCC Test Method 8 Colorfastness to Crocking: AATCCCrockmeter Method23. Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 break-through, nthe point where the ink or coatingsfilm is penet
7、rated by the solvent rub, causing a loss of density.3.1.2 cure, nthe condition of a test sample after conver-sion to a dried film as measured by tests generally related toend-use performance and mutually agreeable to supplier andpurchaser.3.1.3 electron beam (EB) curing, nconversion of an ink orcoat
8、ing to its final polymerized state by means of a mechanisminitiated by electron beam radiation.3.1.4 ultraviolet (UV) curing, nconversion of an ink orcoating to its final polymerized state by means of a mechanisminitiated by ultraviolet radiation.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 The Crockmeter is set to
9、 a predetermined number of rubcycles. The test specimen is attached to the bed of theinstrument. The linen covered rubbing finger is laid on the testprint. Solvent is applied and the rub cycle started.4.2 The test specimen is removed, examined for break-through and rated as less, equal, or more than
10、 the control.5. Significance and Use5.1 This test method is used as a manufacturing or labora-tory process control tool by providing a visual comparison ofthe ability to resist solvent break-through against an establishedcontrol. The test method is designed to indicate a potentialproblem caused by a
11、n undercured condition but does notidentify what caused the condition.5.2 This test method does not duplicate the conditions on aprinting press but does provide a means to determine whetherthe test sample meets specifications as agreed upon betweensupplier and customer.6. Apparatus6.1 AATCC Motorize
12、d Crockmeter3equipped with a light-weight aluminum sliding arm that has a nominal weight of250 g and hollow nylon finger. See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.6.2 Ultraviolet or electron beam curing equipment.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paintand Related Coatings, Materials,
13、 and Applications and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published November 2006. Originallyapproved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D 7244 - 06.2Available from AATCC, One Davis Drive, PO Box 12215, Research T
14、rianglePark, NC 27709-2215.3The sole source of supply of the apparatus know to the committee at this timeis the Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC, 4114 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago,IL 60613 USA. If you are aware of alternate suppliers, please provide thisinformation to ASTM International Headquar
15、ters. Your comments will receivecareful consideration at the meeting of the responsible technical committee1whichyou may attend.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.7. Reagents and Materials7.1 Control (reference) prints c
16、onsisting of energy curedprints that have met all quality control tests and end-userequirements. The control may be a production or laboratoryprint.7.2 Test cloth, white linen 50 mm2(2 in.2) as specified inAATCC Method 8.7.3 Solvents:7.3.1 Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).7.3.2 Isopropyl alcohol 99 % (IPA)
17、.8. Hazards8.1 Provide adequate ventilation, consistent with acceptedlaboratory practice, to limit accumulation of solvent vapors.9. Test Specimen9.1 This test method does not cover the preparation of printsamples. The test print and the control print need to be made atthe same film weight from inks
18、 or coatings of the samechemistry and similar color. Darker colors and heavier filmweights are more difficult to cure and different chemistries mayshow different solvent rub resistance at the same degree ofcure.9.2 The ideal size of the test specimen is 178 mm (7 in.)long by 127 mm (5 in.) wide. Thr
19、ee tests can be run on this sizeof print.Alternatively, three specimens 38 mm (1.5 in.) wide by127 mm (5 in.) long can be used.9.3 Printed test specimens must have been exposed to anUV or EB energy source.9.4 If the test print is a clear coating, the coating can beprinted over on an ink film to help
20、 visual evaluation.10. Preparation of Apparatus10.1 Set up the Crockmeter in a ventilated area sincesolvents are being used.10.2 Level the instrument if necessary.10.3 Install the lightweight aluminum sliding arm. Thereciprocating stroke length is positioned at the shortest strokesetting of 50 mm (2
21、 in.).10.4 Insert the hollow nylon finger into the sliding arm andlock into position. The solid end of the nylon finger should befacing the print surface. Position the top hole in the finger toallow easy access by the solvent filled eyedropper. Make surethe nylon finger is set level with the print s
22、urface and not at anangle. Otherwise, the rub test will not be uniform.10.5 Cover the hollow nylon finger with the 50 mm squarelinen cloth for each test to be run and secure with the spiralspring clip supplied by the manufacturer. Position the linencloth so the hole in the nylon finger is exposed.FI
23、G. 1 AATCC Motorized Crockmeter Model CM-5D 7244 06a211. Preparation of Test Solutions11.1 Prepare the solvent solutions in a fume hood withadequate ventilation.11.2 For energy-cured inks, a starting point of 4 % MEKand 96 % IPAby volume is suggested. The ratio of solvents canbe adjusted to provide
24、the appropriate number of rub cycles(maximum 40) for the samples to be tested. The solvent can bechanged to another type or concentration to meet the require-ments of the ink chemistry as long as the desired results areachieved.11.3 For energy-cured coatings, use 100 % MEK as thestarting point. The
25、solvent can be changed to another type orconcentration as long as the desired results are achieved.12. Standardization12.1 Using the procedure in Section 13, establish thenumber of rub cycles needed for the control (reference) printsto exhibit break-through. It is important to ensure that thesolvent
26、 does not completely evaporate before the rub test cycleis completed. A blend of 4 % MEK and 96 % IPA will provide40 to 50 rubs at the 50.8 mm (2 in.) stroke setting forenergy-cured inks. If 100 % MEK is used for energy-curedcoatings, the solvent may evaporate faster than the number ofrequired rubs.
27、 Stop the test before the solvent has completelyevaporated. Add another 1 mL of solvent and continue the testuntil the desired number of rubs is achieved.13. Procedure13.1 Set the counter on the Crockmeter to the number of rubcycles determined under 12.13.2 Center the nylon finger by moving the moto
28、r swingarm until it faces down between the bottom brackets. Thiscenters the stroke.13.3 Place the test sample under the linen covered fingerand center it. The sample can be taped down to preventmovement during the run cycle or it can be held down by hand.13.4 Transfer the appropriate test solution t
29、o a 10 mLgraduated cylinder, and using an eyedropper, extract a maxi-mum of 1 mL test solution. (Less test solution, 0.8 mL, hasbeen found to give similar results and produces less solventspread.) Inject the solution into the hole at the top of the finger,and turn on the instrument. Do not exceed tw
30、o seconds for thisoperation because solvent comes out quickly through foursmall holes in the bottom of the nylon finger. Solvent must bepresent during the entire rub cycle.13.5 When the test is complete, shut off the instrument. Thetest sample can be moved over to either side by 38 mm (1.5 in.)to al
31、low two more tests to be run if necessary. Approximately25.4 mm (1 in.) in width is needed for each test to allow forsolvent migration.13.6 Repeat steps 13.1 through 13.5 to continue the testcycle.13.7 When the test cycle is complete, remove the testsample for visual assessment.14. Interpretation of
32、 Results and Report14.1 Examine the test sample for a decrease in density(break-through). Report the results as equal to, worse than, orbetter than the control.FIG. 2 Hollow Nylon FingerD 7244 06a314.2 If the break-through is equal to the control, the degreeof cure is similar and is expected to meet
33、 end-use requirements.Break-through worse than the control indicates the cure maynot be sufficient to meet requirements and the cause of the poorcure needs to be investigated. Less break-through than thecontrol indicates an overcure condition may exist or that a newcontrol standard may need to be es
34、tablished.15. Precision and Bias15.1 An interlaboratory study was conducted in whichseven laboratories tested 12 print samples of energy-cured inkand coating in quadruplicate. Visual comparisons were con-ducted against a set of reference standards. Out of 336 testsonly 32 were misidentified. Most of
35、 the error occurred withtwo coated samples. However, since the test is non-quantitative, it is not possible to compute repeatability, repro-ducibility, and bias.16. Keywords16.1 coatings; Crockmeter; cure test; curing; electron beam;printing inks; solvent rub; ultravioletASTM International takes no
36、position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the riskof infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsi
37、bility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standardsand should be addressed to
38、 ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of theresponsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the addr
39、ess shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or serviceastm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).D 7244 06a4
