ASTM_F_505_-_87_2011.pdf

Designation:F50587(Reapproved 2011)Standard Practice forComparative Evaluation of Imaging Properties of LiquidElectrostatic Toners1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F505;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis practice is a pragmatic test for the consumer who may or may not have access to sophisticatedlaboratory equipment.1.Scope1.1 This practice guides the consumer toward preparing atest for liquid toners used in copiers,which has significance totheir specific copying needs,and suggests ways in which testprints may be made and used for each evaluation.1.2 This practice does not include those procedures neces-sary for the evaluation of nonimpact printing toners,thosetoners used in the preparation of offset masters,or otherspecialty toners.1.3 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 health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.See Section 7 forspecific hazards statements.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F335 Terminology Relating to Electrostatic ImagingF360 Practice for Image Evaluation of Electrostatic BusinessCopiesF807 Practice for Determining Resolution Capability ofOffice CopiersF875 Test Method for Evaluation of Large Area Density andBackground on Office Copiers3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms relating to electro-static copying,see Terminology F335.4.Summary of Practice4.1 This practice involves the comparative evaluation of oneor more toner supplies by rating subjectively a number ofsignificant characteristics of imaged copies made under con-trolled conditions on a liquid toner electrostatic copier.5.Significance of Use5.1 Subjective comparative evaluation of copies made fromthe same test originals can be used to determine the usefulnessof a given toner supply in a specific user application.6.Interferences6.1 Many copy systems are subject to variation due tofluctuation of line voltage.It is conceivable that such fluctua-tions may cause a normally useful system to give poor results.The manufacturer of the equipment should be consultedregarding the need for voltage-stabilizing devices which canusually be installed easily.6.2 Results from a copy system can vary depending uponthe length of time the system has been operating.The first printafter a system has been shut down for a prolonged time periodcan be of different quality than subsequent prints made aftersome time of operation.6.3 Variations in copy system performance after continuouscopying over relatively long periods can occur(that is,severalhours or more).It is recommended that the procedure berepeated if significant variation in copy system performanceoccurs.6.4 Variations in copy system performance can occur as aresult of copier adjustments(for example,before and afterservice calls).1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.04 onElectrostatic Imaging Products.Current edition approved Oct.1,2011.Published March 2012.Originallyapproved in 1977.Last previous edition approved in 2001 as F50587(2006).DOI:10.1520/F0505-87R06.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 6.5 Excessively high or low relative humidity can also causevariation in performance not encountered under normal condi-tions.6.6 All tests should be conducted in the same copier,duringthe same relative time period and environmental conditions.6.7 Toner supplies(including both toner and diluents)areoften purchasable from several sources and can affect results ofthe given copy system.6.8 Paper supplies can be purchased from several sourcesand also can affect results of a given copy system.The usershould use only the grade and weight of paper recommendedby the copier manufacturer when evaluating one or more tonersupplies.All paper supplies utilized should be from the samemanufacturing source,and the user should try to use all papersupplies from the same production number(provided one islisted).Some inherent variability within the paper may affectimage quality evaluation as will certain unintentional paperdefects.Some variability may be encountered from one roll tothe next or from one package of sheets to a second package,and sometimes within a package.6.9 Variations in toner concentration strongly