ASTM_F_596_-_82_2003.pdf

Designation:F 596 82(Reapproved 2003)Standard Practice forComparative Evaluation of the Imaging Properties of DryElectrostatic Toners1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 596;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(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis practice is a pragmatic test for the user who can obtain meaningful results without the need forsophisticated instrumentation.1.Scope1.1 This practice covers a method of testing by which theuser can prepare a test for dry electrostatic toners used incopiers,which has significance to their specific copying needsand suggests ways in which test prints may be made and usedfor each evaluation.1.2 Additional evaluation of image characteristics are cov-ered in Practice F 807 and Test Method F 875.1.3 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 8 forspecific hazards statements.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F 335 Terminology Relating to Electrostatic CopyingF 360 Practice for Image Evaluation of Electrostatic Busi-ness CopiesF 470 Practice for Caking Temperature of Dry ElectrostaticTonerF 807 Practice for Determining Resolution Capability ofOffice CopiersF 875 Test Method for Evaluation of Large Area Densityand Background on Office Copiers3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:Refer to Terminology F 335.4.Summary of Practice4.1 This practice involves the comparative evaluation of oneor more toner supplies by subjectively rating a number ofsignificant characteristics of imaged copies made under con-trolled conditions on a dry toner electrostatic copier.5.Significance and Use5.1 Subjective comparative evaluation of copies made fromthe same test original(or originals)can be used to determinethe usefulness of a given dry toner supply in a specific userapplication.6.Interferences6.1 Many copy systems are subject to variations due tofluctuation of line voltage.It is conceivable that such fluctua-tions may cause a normally useful system to give poor results.It is recommended that a stable and dedicated electrical line beused for testing purposes or the manufacturer of the equipmentshould be consulted regarding the need for voltage-stabilizingdevices,which can usually 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 imaged copies madeafter some time of operation.6.3 Variations in copy system performance after continuouscopying over relatively long periods,for example several hoursor more,can occur.It is recommended that the test procedurebe repeated if significant variation in the copy system perfor-mance occurs.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 BusinessCopy Products,and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.04 onElectrostatic Copy Products.Current edition approved Oct.29,1982.Published December 1982.Originallypublished as F 596 78.Last previous edition F 596 78.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 15.09.For 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.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.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 Dry toner supplies are often purchasable from severalsources and can affect the results of a given copy system.If thesample of dry toner selected shows evidence of caking(seePractice F 470)which cannot be easily broken up with a softbrush,it should be rejected and another sample used.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 drytoner supplies.All paper supplies utilized should be from thesame manufacturing source,and the user should try to use allpaper supplies from the same production number(provided oneis listed).Some inherent variability within the paper may affectimag