ASTM F2250-03(2008)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: F2250 − 03(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Printed Inks and
Coatings on Flexible Packaging Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2250; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 The testing included in this practice is applicable to
surface printed and coated materials designed to be resistant to
1.1 This practice describes the procedure for evaluating the
a specific chemical.
ability of an ink, overprint varnish or coating to withstand
chemical exposure. Typical chemicals, which may come in 3.3 The chemicals to be tested should be compatible with
contact with the package, include water, alcohol, acid, etc. The (that is, not damage or degrade) the substrate being printed or
specific chemical and method of choice as well as determina- coated, or both.
tion of measurement outcome are left to users to agree upon in
3.4 Therearefourseparatemethodsdetailedinthispractice.
joint discussion. Suggestions for ways to measure and collect
The methods represent increasing degrees of severity from
information are offered in the various methods listed in this
Method A to Method D. Selection of method should be based
practice.
on the type of exposure anticipated. For example, the pouring
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as method(MethodA)istypicallyusedwhereincidentalexposure
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information is anticipated, such as a spill or splash of chemical on the
only. material surface. Method B or C is typically used when
chemical resistance is desired depending on the level of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
exposure (B) and abrasion (C) anticipated. Method D would
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
represent continual contact between the chemical and material
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and would need to be chemical-proof, (for example, if the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
package were to be submerged in the chemical and exposed to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
abrasion over a period of time.)
2. Referenced Documents
3.5 This practice does not address acceptability criteria.
2.1 ASTM Standards: These need to be jointly determined by the user and producer
D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics (Withdrawn 1998)
of the product, based on the type of exposure that is antici-
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or pated.
Packaging Components for Testing
4. Apparatus
3. Significance and Use
4.1 Method A Apparatus:
3.1 Packaging materials may be exposed to chemicals such
4.1.1 Inclined plane capable of holding material at approxi-
as water, alcohol, acid, etc. during their life cycle. If it is
mately a 45-degree angle, allowing chemical to be tested to
anticipated that the packaging material will be exposed to a
flow easily downward.
chemical, it is important that the ink or coating, or both, not
4.1.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be
degrade, soften, or dissolve as a result of that contact.
tested.
4.2 Method B Apparatus:
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on Flexible
4.2.1 Watch glass, sized to cover sample to be tested and
Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.20 on
easily handled.
Physical Properties.
4.2.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be
Current edition approved April 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F2250 – 03. DOI:
tested.
10.1520/F2250-03R08.
4.2.3 Timing device.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.2.4 Absorbent material.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
4.3 Method C Apparatus:
the ASTM website.
3 4.3.1 Cotton swab.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. 4.3.2 Container of chemical to be tested.
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F2250 − 03 (2008)
4.4 Method D Apparatus: 7.2.4 Place watch glass over wet sample and set timing
4.4.1 Watch glass, sized to cover sample to be tested and device. A one minute exposure may be used for this method.
easily handled.
NOTE 1—The time should be based on the anticipated length of
4.4.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be
exposure or, if ranking materials, then multiple time intervals should be
tested.
used.
4.4.3 Timing device.
7.2.5 When specified time has elapsed, carefully remove
4.4.4 Wipe or cotton swab.
glass and examine sample for any running, smearing or
discoloration.
5. Sampling
7.2.6 Blot gently with absorbent material. Examine absor-
5.1 The number of samples tested should be adequate to be
bent wipe for any transfer of ink or coating and the sample for
predictive of performance. Caution should be taken when
any smearing or discoloration.
eliminating samples with defects as this can bias results.
7.2.7 Record results in user specified format. For example,
5.2 See Practice D1898 for guidance on standard sampling
results may be recorded as pass (no change)/fail or as a degree
practices.
or percentage of damage.
7.3 Method C—Wiping Method:
6. Conditioning
7.3.1 Cut a sample of the material in the area of interest,
6.1 Conditioning of the samples will depend on the material
approximately 13 by 13 cm or 5 by 5 in. To test larger printed
under evaluation. If conditioning before testing is appropriate,
or coated areas, or both, multiple samples may need to be cut.
normal, and desirable, then condition the test specimens at 23
7.3.2 Lay the sample on a flat surface taking care that
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