Standard Practice for Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Printed Inks and Coatings on Flexible Packaging Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Packaging materials may be exposed to chemicals such as water, alcohol, acid, etc. during their life cycle. If it is anticipated that the packaging material will be exposed to a chemical, it is important that the ink or coating, or both, not degrade, soften, or dissolve as a result of that contact.  
3.2 The testing included in this practice is applicable to surface printed and coated materials designed to be resistant to a specific chemical.  
3.3 The chemicals to be tested should be compatible with (that is, not damage or degrade) the substrate being printed or coated, or both.  
3.4 There are four separate methods detailed in this practice. The methods represent increasing degrees of severity from Method A to Method D. Selection of method should be based on the type of exposure anticipated. For example, the pouring method (Method A) is typically used where incidental exposure is anticipated, such as a spill or splash of chemical on the material surface. Method B or C is typically used when chemical resistance is desired depending on the level of exposure (B) and abrasion (C) anticipated. Method D would represent continual contact between the chemical and material and would need to be chemical-proof, (for example, if the package were to be submerged in the chemical and exposed to abrasion over a period of time.)  
3.5 This practice does not address acceptability criteria. These need to be jointly determined by the user and producer of the product, based on the type of exposure that is anticipated.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the procedure for evaluating the ability of an ink, overprint varnish or coating to withstand chemical exposure. Typical chemicals, which may come in contact with the package, include water, alcohol, acid, etc. The specific chemical and method of choice as well as determination of measurement outcome are left to users to agree upon in joint discussion. Suggestions for ways to measure and collect information are offered in the various methods listed in this practice.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
31-Aug-2018
Drafting Committee
F02.20 - Physical Properties

Relations

Effective Date
01-Sep-2018
Effective Date
01-May-2020
Effective Date
01-Oct-2015
Effective Date
15-Nov-2011
Effective Date
01-Sep-2018
Effective Date
01-Sep-2018
Effective Date
01-Sep-2018

Overview

ASTM F2250-13(2018), Standard Practice for Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Printed Inks and Coatings on Flexible Packaging Materials, provides a systematic method to evaluate the ability of printed inks, overprint varnishes, or coatings on flexible packaging to withstand chemical exposure. This evaluation is essential for industries where packaging may come into contact with chemicals such as water, alcohol, or acids throughout the product’s lifecycle. The standard outlines procedures for testing chemical resistance and supports informed decision-making in packaging design, quality control, and supplier agreements.

Key Topics

  • Chemical Resistance Evaluation: The standard describes how to assess whether inks or coatings on flexible packaging are susceptible to degradation, softening, or dissolution when exposed to specific chemicals.
  • Four Test Methods:
    • Method A (Pouring Method): Used for incidental chemical exposure, such as spills or splashes. Involves pouring a chemical over the packaging material mounted at a 45-degree angle and observing effects.
    • Method B (Timed Exposure): Intended for scenarios requiring chemical resistance over a set period under moderate conditions. Chemical is applied, covered, and exposure is timed.
    • Method C (Wiping Method): For situations involving both chemical exposure and abrasion. Assesses resistance using repeated strokes with a saturated swab.
    • Method D (Wipe after Timed Exposure): Represents the most severe condition-prolonged and direct contact with simultaneous abrasion, such as submerged conditions.
  • Material Compatibility: Chemicals used in testing should not damage the underlying substrate, ensuring test relevance for real-world applications.
  • Reporting: Documentation includes test method, chemical used, exposure time, observations, and sample details, ensuring traceability and consistency across evaluations.
  • Selection Criteria: Users must select an appropriate test method based on anticipated exposure scenarios and jointly agree upon acceptance criteria with suppliers or producers.

Applications

ASTM F2250-13(2018) is vital for manufacturers, converters, and end-users working with flexible packaging materials in sectors such as:

  • Food and Beverage Packaging: Ensuring printed surfaces or protective coatings remain intact when exposed to moisture, cleaning agents, or accidental spills.
  • Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging: Verifying that packaging will not degrade when in contact with cleaning solutions or bodily fluids.
  • Household and Industrial Chemicals: Assessing labels, pouches, and wraps for resistance to harsh solvents, detergents, or acidic substances.
  • Quality Assurance and Specification Compliance: Used as part of product qualification, supplier approvals, and quality control checks to avoid failures in the supply chain.
  • R&D and Product Development: Facilitates testing and validation of new ink or coating formulations intended for chemically challenging environments.

Related Standards

  • ASTM E171/E171M: Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Packaging
  • Other Packaging and Material Standards: Refer to additional ASTM international packaging standards for broader material property evaluations.

Keywords: chemical resistance, flexible packaging, printed ink, coating, packaging material testing, ASTM F2250, surface durability, packaging quality control

By adhering to ASTM F2250-13(2018), organizations can ensure their flexible packaging solutions maintain integrity when exposed to various chemicals, reducing product recalls and enhancing consumer safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM F2250-13(2018) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Practice for Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Printed Inks and Coatings on Flexible Packaging Materials". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 Packaging materials may be exposed to chemicals such as water, alcohol, acid, etc. during their life cycle. If it is anticipated that the packaging material will be exposed to a chemical, it is important that the ink or coating, or both, not degrade, soften, or dissolve as a result of that contact. 3.2 The testing included in this practice is applicable to surface printed and coated materials designed to be resistant to a specific chemical. 3.3 The chemicals to be tested should be compatible with (that is, not damage or degrade) the substrate being printed or coated, or both. 3.4 There are four separate methods detailed in this practice. The methods represent increasing degrees of severity from Method A to Method D. Selection of method should be based on the type of exposure anticipated. For example, the pouring method (Method A) is typically used where incidental exposure is anticipated, such as a spill or splash of chemical on the material surface. Method B or C is typically used when chemical resistance is desired depending on the level of exposure (B) and abrasion (C) anticipated. Method D would represent continual contact between the chemical and material and would need to be chemical-proof, (for example, if the package were to be submerged in the chemical and exposed to abrasion over a period of time.) 3.5 This practice does not address acceptability criteria. These need to be jointly determined by the user and producer of the product, based on the type of exposure that is anticipated. SCOPE 1.1 This practice describes the procedure for evaluating the ability of an ink, overprint varnish or coating to withstand chemical exposure. Typical chemicals, which may come in contact with the package, include water, alcohol, acid, etc. The specific chemical and method of choice as well as determination of measurement outcome are left to users to agree upon in joint discussion. Suggestions for ways to measure and collect information are offered in the various methods listed in this practice. 1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 Packaging materials may be exposed to chemicals such as water, alcohol, acid, etc. during their life cycle. If it is anticipated that the packaging material will be exposed to a chemical, it is important that the ink or coating, or both, not degrade, soften, or dissolve as a result of that contact. 3.2 The testing included in this practice is applicable to surface printed and coated materials designed to be resistant to a specific chemical. 3.3 The chemicals to be tested should be compatible with (that is, not damage or degrade) the substrate being printed or coated, or both. 3.4 There are four separate methods detailed in this practice. The methods represent increasing degrees of severity from Method A to Method D. Selection of method should be based on the type of exposure anticipated. For example, the pouring method (Method A) is typically used where incidental exposure is anticipated, such as a spill or splash of chemical on the material surface. Method B or C is typically used when chemical resistance is desired depending on the level of exposure (B) and abrasion (C) anticipated. Method D would represent continual contact between the chemical and material and would need to be chemical-proof, (for example, if the package were to be submerged in the chemical and exposed to abrasion over a period of time.) 3.5 This practice does not address acceptability criteria. These need to be jointly determined by the user and producer of the product, based on the type of exposure that is anticipated. SCOPE 1.1 This practice describes the procedure for evaluating the ability of an ink, overprint varnish or coating to withstand chemical exposure. Typical chemicals, which may come in contact with the package, include water, alcohol, acid, etc. The specific chemical and method of choice as well as determination of measurement outcome are left to users to agree upon in joint discussion. Suggestions for ways to measure and collect information are offered in the various methods listed in this practice. 1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM F2250-13(2018) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 87.080 - Inks. Printing inks. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ASTM F2250-13(2018) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM F2250-13, ASTM E171/E171M-11(2020), ASTM E171/E171M-11(2015), ASTM E171/E171M-11, ASTM F2097-20, ASTM F2559/F2559M-21, ASTM F99-21. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

ASTM F2250-13(2018) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2250 − 13 (Reapproved 2018)
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. Significance and Use
1.1 This practice describes the procedure for evaluating the
3.1 Packaging materials may be exposed to chemicals such
ability of an ink, overprint varnish or coating to withstand as water, alcohol, acid, etc. during their life cycle. If it is
chemical exposure. Typical chemicals, which may come in
anticipated that the packaging material will be exposed to a
contact with the package, include water, alcohol, acid, etc. The chemical, it is important that the ink or coating, or both, not
specific chemical and method of choice as well as determina-
degrade, soften, or dissolve as a result of that contact.
tion of measurement outcome are left to users to agree upon in
3.2 The testing included in this practice is applicable to
joint discussion. Suggestions for ways to measure and collect
surface printed and coated materials designed to be resistant to
information are offered in the various methods listed in this
a specific chemical.
practice.
3.3 The chemicals to be tested should be compatible with
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
(that is, not damage or degrade) the substrate being printed or
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
coated, or both.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.4 Therearefourseparatemethodsdetailedinthispractice.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
The methods represent increasing degrees of severity from
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Method A to Method D. Selection of method should be based
with the standard.
on the type of exposure anticipated. For example, the pouring
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
method(MethodA)istypicallyusedwhereincidentalexposure
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
is anticipated, such as a spill or splash of chemical on the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
material surface. Method B or C is typically used when
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
chemical resistance is desired depending on the level of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
exposure (B) and abrasion (C) anticipated. Method D would
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
represent continual contact between the chemical and material
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
and would need to be chemical-proof, (for example, if the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
package were to be submerged in the chemical and exposed to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
abrasion over a period of time.)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 3.5 This practice does not address acceptability criteria.
These need to be jointly determined by the user and producer
2. Referenced Documents
of the product, based on the type of exposure that is antici-
pated.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E171/E171M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible
4. Apparatus
Barrier Packaging
4.1 Method A Apparatus:
4.1.1 Inclined plane capable of holding material at approxi-
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on Primary
mately a 45-degree angle, allowing chemical to be tested to
Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.20 on
Physical Properties. flow easily downward.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
4.1.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F2250 – 13. DOI:
tested.
10.1520/F2250-13R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.2 Method B Apparatus:
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.2.1 Watch glass, sized to cover sample to be tested and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. easily handled.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2250 − 13 (2018)
4.2.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be 7.2.2 Lay the sample on a flat surface taking care that it is
tested. smooth without wrinkles, creases, or folds. The surface to be
evaluated (the printed or coated side) should be facing up.
4.2.3 Timing device.
4.2.4 Absorbent material. 7.2.3 Pour or squirt chemical evenly over area to be tested.
7.2.4 Place watch glass over wet sample and set timing
4.3 Method C Apparatus:
device. A one minute exposure may be used for this method.
4.3.1 Cotton swab.
4.3.2 Container of chemical to be tested.
NOTE 1—The time should be based on the anticipated length of
exposure or, if ranking materials, then multiple time intervals should be
4.4 Method D Apparatus:
used.
4.4.1 Watch glass, sized to cover sample to be tested and
7.2.5 When specified time has elapsed, carefully remove
easily handled.
glass and examine sample for any running, smearing or
4.4.2 Small pouring container or syringe of chemical to be
discoloration.
tested.
7.2.6 Blot gently with absorbent material. Examine absor-
4.4.3 Timing device.
bent wipe for any transfer of ink or coating and the sample for
4.4.4 Wipe or cotton swab.
any smearing or discoloration.
7.2.7 Record results in user specified format. For example,
5. Sampling
results may be recorded as pass (no change)/fail or as a degree
5.1 The number of samples tested should be adequate to be
or percentage of damage.
predictive of performance. Caution should be taken when
eliminating samples with d
...

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