ASTM D2066-97

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:D2066–97
Standard Test Methods for
Relative Tinting Strength of Paste-Type Printing Ink
Dispersions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2066; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Mea-
surement by Tristimulus (Filter) Colorimetry
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining
E1349 Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by
the relative tinting strength of paste-type printing ink disper-
Spectrophotometry Using Bidirectional Geometry
sions by visual or instrumental evaluation.
2.2 ANSI Standards:
1.2 These test methods are applicable to paste-type printing
PH 2.17 Geometric Conditions for Reflection Density
inks, flushed pigments, and other pigment dispersions that are
PH 2.18 Spectral Conditions for the Measurement of Opti-
essentially nonvolatile under ordinary room conditions and for
cal Density
which there is a wet reference standard of the same pigmen-
PH 2.30 Viewing Conditions for Graphic Arts and
tationandconsistency.Withproperchoiceoftintingbase,they
Photography—ColorPrints,TransparenciesandPhotome-
are applicable to dispersions of any color, including black and
chanical Reproductions
white.
NOTE 1—Theinstrumentalproceduresfortintingstrengtharesimilarin 3. Terminology
principle to those described in Test Methods D387, D2745, and
3.1 Definitions relating to color attributes and color differ-
2,3
D4838.
ences are covered in Terminology D16 and E284.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 tinting strength—the ability of a material to impart its
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
color to a standard base; the reciprocal of the relative concen-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tration required to match the reference material in a standard
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
base.
3.2.2 masstone (or masscolor)—the color of a material that
2. Referenced Documents
is thick enough to mask any background.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.3 undertone (or undercolor)—the color of a thin film of
D16 Terminology Relating to Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and
a material.
Related Products
D387 Test Method for Color and Strength of Colored 4. Summary of Test Methods
Pigments with a Mechanical Muller
4.1 Thin and thick films of the standard and unknown
D2244 Test Method for Calculation of Color Differences
dispersions are drawn down in juxtaposition on bond and on
from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
coated paper. Visual evaluation of the relative undertone and
D2745 Test Method for RelativeTinting Strength ofWhite
masstone provides a check on color equivalency.
Pigments by Reflectance Measurements
4.2 Thestandardandunknowndispersionsareeachreduced
D4838 Test Method for Determining the Relative Tinting
to the same concentration in a suitable tinting base. Thick wet
Strength of Chromatic Paints
drawdownsofthetwotintsareevaluatedfortintingstrengthby
E284 Terminology of Appearance
Test Methods A or B.
E1331 Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by
4.2.1 Test Method A—Visual Evaluation: If the strength of
Spectrophotometry Using Hemispherical Geometry
the tints is judged unequal, aliquots of the stronger tint are
further reduced until equivalence is obtained. The tinting
strength of the unknown dispersion is calculated from the
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD-1onPaint weight of extra tinting base added per unit weight of the
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
stronger tint.
Subcommittee D1.56 on Printing Inks.
Current edition approved June 10, 1997. Published September 1997. Originally
published as D2066–91. Last previous edition D2066–91.
2 4
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Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D2066–97
4.2.2 Test Method B—Instrumental Evaluation: Reflec- 7.2.1 White Base, for testing colored and black disper-
tancemeasurementsaremadeonthickwetfilmsoftheoriginal sions.Asuitablewhitebasemaycontainbyweight30–60%of
tints. The tinting strength of the unknown dispersion is
either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and 40–70% vehicle.
calculated according to the Kubelka-Munk equation.
7.2.2 Black Base, for testing white dispersions. A suitable
4.3 Preparation of a confirming tint is recommended as an
black base may contain by weight 4% black pigment (prefer-
unbiased method of verification. The preferred approach is to
ably non-flocculating), 43% precipitated calcium carbonate,
prepareanewtintoftheunknownataconcentrationcalculated
and 53% vehicle. Alternatively, a neutral black nondrying
to match the standard tint.
printing ink such as a news ink.
7.2.3 Dark Blue Base (optional), for visual testing of white
5. Significance and Use
dispersions. A suitable dark blue base may contain by weight
5.1 Tinting strength is an essential property of printing ink
42% ultramarine blue, 18% precipitated calcium carbonate,
dispersions. Although test results on wet drawdowns and tints
and 40% vehicle.
do not guarantee equivalency of dry printed ink films, they
7.2.4 Light Blue Base (optional), for visual testing of yel-
provide useful parameters for quality assurance of established
low dispersions. A suitable light blue base may contain by
formulations,gagingrelativedegreeofdispersion,andestimat-
weight 1% phthalocyanine blue dispersion and 99% white
ingthecolorvalueofcolorantsfromdifferentbatches,sources,
or grades. base.
NOTE 3—Mixtures of a light blue base with yellow samples produce
6. Apparatus
green tints, differences between which are more easily detected by eye
6.1 Laboratory Balance, sensitive to at least 1.0 mg, pref-
than are mixtures of white and yellow. However, false results may be
erably 0.1 mg.
obtained. The use of a blue base is not recommended for visual tests on
6.2 Spatulas,(2)withflexibleblades80to120mminlength
greenish-yellowcolorantsandisnotpermittedforinstrumentalevaluation
(for weighing and mixing). of any yellow colorant.
6.3 Mixing Surface, such as a glass or similar slab fixed to
7.3 WeighingSubstrate,nonabsorbent,suchasskinpaperor
a work bench.
small glass plates ca 75 to 100 mm square.
6.4 Putty Knife, with an 80–120 mm wide blade having a
7.4 Drawdown Substrates, one consisting of white bond
smooth straight edge (for use as a drawdown blade).
paper at least 50-mm wide and 150-mm long with a black bar
6.5 Standard Daylight, preferably a D50 light source con-
at least 20-mm wide imprinted across the short dimension
forming to ANSI Standard PH 2.30.
about half way down the length of the sheet, and a second one
6.6 Reflectance Measuring Instrument, (for instrumental
consisting of white coated paper.
evaluation).Unlessotherwiseagreedupon,theinstrumentshall
be a spectrophotometer with hemispherical (integrating-
7.5 Microscope Cover Glasses (optional, for instrumental
sphere) geometry conforming to Test Method E1331, a spec- measurements), made of finest optical glass, 50 by 45 mm,
trophotometer with bidirectional (45/0 or 0/45) geometry
0.13- to 0.17-mm thick.
conforming to Test Method E1349, or a tristimulus (filter)
7.6 Standard Spacer (optional, for instrumental measure-
colorimeter with either geometry conforming to Test Method
ments), such as cardstock the same size as the cover glass
E1347.Alternatively, a reflection densitometer conforming to
described in 7.5, about 1-mm thick, with a 35-mm diameter
ANSI Standard PH 2.17 and having a set of Status T or Status
hole.
E filters (see 12.3.2), conforming toANSI Standard 2.18 may
be used for certain colors.
8. Sampling
NOTE 2—The filter systems in typical densitometers are suitable only
8.1 These test methods do not include a method for prepa-
for use with black, white, and the three process colors (yellow, magenta
ration of dispersions. If colorants from different batches or
and cyan). Instrumental evaluation of other colors requires a spectropho-
sources are being evaluated, it is important that the standard
tometer or a colorimeter.
and unknown samples be dispersed either in the identical
7. Materials
mannerortothemaximumdegree,asagreeduponbetweenthe
7.1 Reference (Standard) Dispersion, having the same pig- producer and the user.
mentation and consistency as the test (unknown) dispersion.
8.2 Carefully select a dispersed sample that is free of skin
7.2 Tinting Base, as agreed upon between the producer and
and other contamination and representative of the lot being
user, consisting of a suitable pigment well dispersed in a
evaluated. Transfer to a clean container, protect with skin
vehicle that is compatible with the vehicle in the test disper-
paper, close and seal.
sion. The consistency of the base should not be appreciably
lower than that of the test dispersion. Driers are not generally
used because they may affect the color of the base and
Spectrophotometrically controlled white bleaches are available from National
corresponding tints.
Printing Ink Research Institute (NPIRI), Lehigh University, Sinclair Laboratory, 7
AsaDrive,Bethlehem,PA18015-3192.UniversialWhiteBleachcontainsbyweight
60% zinc oxide and 40% hydrogenated methyl abietate plasticizer. White Bleach
StatusTfilters are available in the USA, Status E in other countries.The major 95 contains by weight 30% titanium dioxide and 70% vehicle consisting of
difference is in the peak transmission of the blue filter. oxidizing oils, petroleum distillates and resins.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D2066–97
TABLE 1 Suggested Tint Concentrations for Strength Testing of
9. Evaluation of Masstone and Undertone for Relative
A
Printing Ink Dispersions
Color
B,C
Content of Tint, g
Dispersion Ratio
9.1 Using the bond paper with the black bar, place small
Type of
Concentra- Disper-
Disper- Tinting
Dispersion
portions of the standard and unknown dispersions close to-
Total
tion in Tint sion
sion Base
gether,butnottouching,inthecenteratoneendofthesheetin
Flush or concentrate 0.01 1:99 0.05 4.95 5.0
the long dimension.
Process color ink 0.02 1:49 0.10 4.90 5.0
9.2 Placethebladeofthedrawdownknifebehindthepastes Laked or low strength 0.05 1:19 0.25 4.75 5.0
color
and, using heavy pressure, draw down a thin film of the pastes
Titanium dioxide
in juxtaposition. When the middle of the black bar is reached, D
with lamp black base 0.85 6:1 4.25 0.75 5.0
D
raise the blade slightly and draw down the remaining pastes in with carbon black base 0.98 49:1 4.90 0.10 5.0
A
a layer sufficiently thick that the black bar is not visible.
In NPIRI Universal Bleaching Base except where noted. Figures are given as
a guide. It is recommended that standard batches be checked first to establish tint
Remove excess material.
concentrations that give proper lightness levels.
9.3 Immediatelyexaminethedrawdownsunderthestandard
B
Materials should be weighed to three significant figures. Increase weights by a
D50 light or other agreed upon light source. Judge the hue, factor contingent on the balance sensitivity.
C
Use double the quantity for instrumental tinting strength conducted by spec-
depth, cleanliness, transparency and other properties of the
trophotometry and confirmed by aliquot reduction.
unknowndispersionrelativetothestandarddispersion.Record D
For white dispersions, weigh tinting base first.
qualitativeobservationsofthethinfilmoverwhitepaperasthe
relative undertone, the thin film over the black bar as the
is achieved. With a clean putty knife, push the tint to one side
relative transparency, and the thick film as the relative mass-
of the slab. Clean the putty knife and remainder of the slab.
tone.
9.4 Repeat 9.1 and make a tight drawdown on a sheet of NOTE 6—With flushes and other high viscosity dispersions, it is
recommended that the tinting base be mixed into the specimen in small
coated paper. Make an immediate visual judgment of the
increments.
relative undertone. Include relative gloss and bronzing in the
evaluation. 10.4 Repeat 10.2 and 10.3 with the unknown dispersion. Be
sure the specimen concentration in the tint and the type of
NOTE 4—When the consistencies of the standard and unknown disper-
tinting base are identical to that used for the standard disper-
sions are significantly different, the film thicknesses of the tight draw-
sion.
downs may not be comparable. In such cases, judgments regarding
10.5 If there will be a delay in the evaluation process,
relative hue should be reserved until the tints are examined (see Note 8 in
11.6). transfer the tints to small clean containers and label appropri-
NOTE 5—If the hue or cleanliness of the test dispersion is significantly ately.Always gently restir immediately before subsequent use
differentfromthestandarddispersion,tintingstrengthcannotbetestedby
in order to minimize problems of flooding or floating.
the procedures covered in this test method. A numerical assessment of
such systems may be obtained by making color measurements according
TEST METHOD A—TINTING STRENGTH BY
to Test Methods E1331, E1347, or E1349 and calculating color
VISUAL EVALUATION
differences by the 1976 CIELAB equations in accordance with Test
Method D2244.
11. Procedure
11.1 Using separate ink knives, gently stir the standard and
10. Preparation of Tints
the test tints. Place a small quantity of each tint close together,
10.1 Select a tinting base appropriate to the sample being
but not touching, at one end of a small glass plate or other
tested (see 7.2). Examine the base for uniformity. If there are
drawdown substrate. Hold the drawdown knife at a low angle
signs of separation or settling, stir thoroughly in container. If
(5to15°fromhorizontal)and,usinglightpressure,drawdown
necessary, transfer the quantity required for testing to a slab
thetintsinjuxtaposition.Thetwofilmsmustbeincontactwith
and mix to ensure that the same composition of base will be
each other, smooth, and s
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