ASTM_F_1721_-_04.pdf

Designation:F 1721 04Standard Practices forDetermining Stability of Direct Thermal Imaging Products1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1721;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.1.Scope1.1 These practices cover the evaluation of the effect ofvarious solvents,light,heat,and humidity on direct thermalimaging products.1.2 These practices may be used to evaluate the perfor-mance of thermal products coated on paper,film,or othersubstrate for specific applications.1.3 These practices may be used for manufacturing control,development,and research.1.4 The sections in these practices appear in the followingsequence:Scope1Referenced Documents2Terminology3PracticesSolvent Resistance411Light Stability1218Heat and Humidity Stability1925Keywords261.5 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 health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D 2244 Test Method for Calculation of Color Differencesfrom Instrumentally Measured ColorF 767 Test Method for Image Stability of Chemical Carbon-less Paper to LightF 1320 Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Paper Employ-ing a Facsimile Thermal Printer as a Test InstrumentF 1405 Test Method for Determining the Dynamic ThermalResponse of Direct Thermal Imaging ProductsAtlantekMethodF 1444 Test Method for Determining the Dynamic ThermalResponse of Direct Thermal PaperLabel Printer Method2.2ANSI Standard:ANSI/CGATS 4-1993 Graphic TechnologyGraphic ArtsReflection Densitometry MeasurementsTerminology,Equations,Image Elements and Procedures33.Terminology3.1 Definition:3.1.1 direct thermal imaging product,npaper,film,orother substrate upon which a coating is applied;the imagingcomponents consist of a color former(leuco dye),a developer,a sensitizer,and antioxidants which react to form an imagewhen sufficiently heated from a thermal printhead.SOLVENT RESISTANCE4.Summary of Practice4.1 Select one or more of the solvents appropriate to theapplication for which the product will be used.4.2 Imaged samples including a control are measured foroptical density then subjected to contact by various solventmaterials for a specified time.Optionally,L*,a*,b*values canbe measured for the background using a spectrodensitometer.After the test time is completed,the samples are againmeasured for optical density and L*,a*,b*and compared to acontrol.The L*,a*,b*measurements will indicate changes inimage color.4.2.1 Most units which measure L*,a*,b*can provide thedifference values in the form of DL*,Da*,Db*and DE.Referto the technical literature on color measurement for theinterpretation of these results.5.Significance and Use5.1 These procedures enable comparison of samples with acontrol under various solvent conditions to determine thestability of the image.The various solvents simulate conditionswhich may be encountered in the environment.5.2 The test may be used to judge which materials aresuitable for a specific situation and usage.The sensitivity of theproducts should match and the products should be for the sameapplication.1These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 onBusiness Imaging Products and are the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF05.06 on Carbonless and Thermal Imaging Products.Current edition approved Feb.1,2004.Published April 2004.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 1996 as F 172196.2For 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.3Available from American National Standards Institute,25 W.43rd St.,4thFloor,New York,NY 10036.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.5.3 The procedure may be used for the evaluation of directimaging coatings on paper,film,or other substrate.The methodof imaging should be with the type of imaging unit for whichthe product has been designed.6.Interferences6.1 Backing material will affect the reading taken with aspectrodensitometer.Specify which backing is used whentaking a reading.6.2 When reading L*,a*,b*values,also record observer,illuminator,and geometry of the instrument.7.Apparatus and Materials7.1 Spectrodensitometer,with an aperture smaller than theimage area to be measured and meeting the requirements ofANSI/CGATS 4-1993,operating in visual density mode.7.2 Oven,operated at 100 6 4F(38 6 2C).7.3 Printer or Alternative Imaging Device.7.4 Weight2.5 lb/in.2(0.176 kg/cm2)