ASTM_F_2296_-_04_2012.pdf

Designation:F229604(Reapproved 2012)Standard Practice forDetermining the Adhesion of Lamination Films to PrintsUtilizing Mechanical Stress:Four Different Test MethodsScore/Tape,Cross Hatch,X-Cut,and Crease-Folding1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2296;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice describes procedures for assessing theadhesion between lamination films and black and white orcolor images produced by printers,copies and other repro-graphic devices.1.2 This practice can be used to test different laminates witha given set of inks and media or it can be used to evaluate inksand media with a given laminate.1.3 This practice is applicable to laminated images,wherethe substrate surface is subject to failure under mechanicalstress from mostly peel conditions(that is,paper,film,cloth,and so forth).1.4 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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:F2226 Practice for Determining the Adhesion of Prints andLaminating Films3.Significance and Use3.1 The image life of printed media displayed in bothtypical office and outdoor environments can be extended bylamination or encapsulation.While natural aging is the mostreliable method of assessing lamination adhesion,the length ofthe time required makes this method impractical for mostmaterials.This practice utilizing mechanical stress allowscomparative studies of prints and laminating films.3.2 Factors in the office and outdoor environments,such asheat,cold,thermal shock,ultraviolet/visible radiation andwater vapor can have effect on laminate stability.The resis-tance of the laminate to these factors can be assessed byapplying mechanical stress.3.3 Good adhesion is a prime consideration for laminatingfilms and prints.A laminating film,which does not adhere to aprint or vice versa generally,has no commercial value.Thispractice is used to obtain comparative data of adhesion strengthof encapsulated or laminated media.4.Interferences4.1 Since the ability of laminating film to adhere to printedmedia is dependent on temperature and humidity,it is impor-tant that the effects of mechanical stress be assessed under theconditions appropriate to the end use applications.Whileprinted media may be handled and displayed under a variety ofconditions,this practice is intended to determine adhesion inindoor environments.4.2 The laminate adhesion is dependent on laminationtemperature and should be applied at the manufacturersrecommended temperature for the best performance.4.3 The adhesion between lamination films and color im-ages is dependent on the printing mode,the type of color andthe amount of applied ink,lamination conditions such aslamination temperature,the lamination speed and the pressureon the nip.4.4 This practice is intended to measure adhesion of printedmedia without specifying above-mentioned parameters.5.Conditioning5.1 It is recommended that samples be conditioned at 23Cand 50%RH for at least 24 h prior to printing and for at least24 h subsequent to lamination.Specimens should be visuallyinspected for surface irregularities,which could adverselyaffect lamination.5.2 It is recommended that samples be conditioned at 23Cand 50%RH for 24 h prior to delamination to provideadditional time for equilibrium of adhesive containing inter-faces.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.03 onResearch.Current edition approved Oct.1,2012.Published November 2012.Originallyapproved in 2003.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F2296 04.DOI:10.1520/F2296-04R12.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.3 The above conditioning steps are pertinent only wheremedia evaluation or comparison is needed.Obviously,as aproduction tool,the conditioning period is not practical.Therefore,when media are coated in production,the specimensshould be obtained from each roll and checked as soon aspossible in a repeatable procedure appropriate to the operation.It is imperative that operators use caution in selecting andpreparing specimens to maintain good uniformity.6.Materials6.1 Razor blade,single edge or cutting board,pressuresensitive tape(25 mm(1 in.)wide).6.2 The adhesion strength of pressure-sensitive tapes isdependent on lot number due to batch production process andstorage time.The same manufacturing tape with identical lotnumber should be used for testing conducted