Standard Terminology for Printing Ink Vehicles and Related Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 A common set of definitions is essential to improve communication and avoid misunderstanding among manufacturers of printing ink, printing ink vehicles, resins, solvents, oils and all other components of printing ink vehicles.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard contains the definitions of terms as used in reference to printing ink vehicles and related materials.  
1.2 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-May-2021
Drafting Committee
D01.37 - Ink Vehicles

Relations

Effective Date
01-Feb-2024
Effective Date
01-Jun-2020
Effective Date
01-Jun-2015
Effective Date
01-Nov-2012
Effective Date
01-Jul-2011
Effective Date
01-Jul-2010
Effective Date
01-Dec-2009
Effective Date
01-Jul-2007
Effective Date
01-Jun-2007
Effective Date
01-Sep-2005
Effective Date
01-Mar-2004
Effective Date
10-Jan-2003
Effective Date
10-Jan-2001
Effective Date
10-Jan-2001
Effective Date
10-Jan-2001

Overview

ASTM D7805-13(2021): Standard Terminology for Printing Ink Vehicles and Related Materials is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM. This document establishes a comprehensive set of definitions for terms related to printing ink vehicles, resins, solvents, oils, and associated materials. The development of a common terminology serves to improve communication and ensure clarity among manufacturers, suppliers, and customers in the printing ink industry, reducing misunderstandings and supporting global trade.

This standard aligns with internationally accepted principles set forth by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, ensuring broad relevance and applicability.

Key Topics

ASTM D7805-13(2021) covers terminology specific to the following areas:

  • Printing Ink Vehicles: Definitions relating to the liquid portion of inks that carry and bind pigments to substrates.
  • Resins and Polymers: Terms covering types such as acrylic resins, alkyds, polyamides, polyurethanes, and more.
  • Solvents and Oils: Definitions of hydrocarbon oils, esters, and various organic solvents critical in ink formulation.
  • Physical and Chemical Properties: Clarity, viscosity (including apparent, absolute, and effective), tack, adhesion, and compatibility.
  • Rheology and Curing: Terms including energy curing (UV, EB), viscoelasticity, shear rate/stress, and gelation.

A standardized vocabulary ensures stakeholders describe materials and processes consistently, supporting testing, formulation, and quality control efforts.

Applications

ASTM D7805-13(2021) is widely utilized in the following contexts:

  • Manufacturing of Printing Inks: Ink manufacturers reference this standard for consistent definitions, especially when formulating or modifying printing ink vehicles or related compositions.
  • Raw Material Supply and Quality Control: Resin, solvent, and additive suppliers use these terms in technical data sheets and quality documentation, facilitating clear communication with customers.
  • Research, Testing, and Development: Laboratories performing ink vehicle testing or developing new formulations rely on this standard to ensure methodology and reporting are unambiguous.
  • Regulatory and Compliance: Adhering to the terminology aids compliance with international trade regulations and technical requirements, particularly for exports or cross-border collaborations.
  • Training and Documentation: Provides a reliable glossary for onboarding new staff or preparing educational materials within the printing inks industry.

Consistent use of these terms enhances collaboration across global markets and among multidisciplinary teams involved in ink development, testing, and application.

Related Standards

For further context and testing procedures connected to printing ink vehicles and materials, the following ASTM standards are commonly referenced alongside ASTM D7805-13(2021):

  • ASTM D2369: Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
  • ASTM D4713: Test Methods for Nonvolatile Content of Heatset and Liquid Printing Ink Systems
  • ASTM D6419: Test Method for Volatile Content of Sheet-Fed and Coldset Web Offset Printing Inks

These standards, together with ASTM D7805-13(2021), form a foundational framework for the specification, testing, and quality assurance of printing ink vehicles and related raw materials.


Keywords: ASTM D7805, printing ink vehicles, ink vehicle terminology, resin, varnish, printing ink materials, standard definitions, ink industry standards, ink manufacturing, ink formulation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM D7805-13(2021) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Terminology for Printing Ink Vehicles and Related Materials". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 A common set of definitions is essential to improve communication and avoid misunderstanding among manufacturers of printing ink, printing ink vehicles, resins, solvents, oils and all other components of printing ink vehicles. SCOPE 1.1 This standard contains the definitions of terms as used in reference to printing ink vehicles and related materials. 1.2 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 A common set of definitions is essential to improve communication and avoid misunderstanding among manufacturers of printing ink, printing ink vehicles, resins, solvents, oils and all other components of printing ink vehicles. SCOPE 1.1 This standard contains the definitions of terms as used in reference to printing ink vehicles and related materials. 1.2 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 D7805-13(2021) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 37.100.10 - Reproduction equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ASTM D7805-13(2021) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D2369-24, ASTM D4713-12(2020), ASTM D2369-10(2015)e1, ASTM D4713-12, ASTM D2369-10e1, ASTM D2369-10, ASTM D6419-00(2009), ASTM D2369-07, ASTM D4713-92(2007), ASTM D6419-00(2005), ASTM D2369-04, ASTM D2369-03, ASTM D2369-98, ASTM D2369-01, ASTM D2369-01e1. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

ASTM D7805-13(2021) 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: D7805 − 13 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Terminology for
Printing Ink Vehicles and Related Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7805; 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 acrylic resins, n—thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers or
copolymers derived from ethenylically unsaturated mono-
1.1 Thisstandardcontainsthedefinitionsoftermsasusedin
mers such as styrene, acrylic/methacrylic acid, and acrylic/
reference to printing ink vehicles and related materials.
methacrylic acid esters.
1.2 This international standard was developed in accor-
DISCUSSION—Acrylic resins are used most commonly in liquid (for
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
example, flexo and gravure) inks. Most waterbased inks are formulated
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
from acrylic resins or acrylic emulsions.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
adhesion, n—state in which two surfaces are held together by
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
interfacial forces that may consist of valence forces, inter-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
locking action, or both.
2. Referenced Documents
alkyd, n—synthetic resins formed by the reaction of polybasic
2.1 ASTM Standards:
acids with polyhydric alcohols, typically modified with
D2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
unsaturated vegetable oils.
D4713 Test Methods for Nonvolatile Content of Heatset and
DISCUSSION—Alkyds are typically used in oxidatively drying paste
Liquid Printing Ink Systems
inks (for example, sheetfed).
D6419 Test Method for Volatile Content of Sheet-Fed and
amine number (value), n—the relative number of –NH
Coldset Web Offset Printing Inks
groups on a polymer or other molecule as determined by the
milligrams of potassium hydroxide equivalent to the amine
3. Significance and Use
groups in one gram of the material.
3.1 A common set of definitions is essential to improve
communication and avoid misunderstanding among manufac-
antioxidant, n—organic compound added to a resin, vehicle,
turers of printing ink, printing ink vehicles, resins, solvents,
or other material to retard oxidation, deterioration, and
oils and all other components of printing ink vehicles.
rancidity.
apparent viscosity (VD), n—measured viscosity of a non-
4. Terminology
Newtonian fluid at a particular shear rate D.
acid number (value), n—an indication of the relative amount
-1
DISCUSSION—A shear rate of 2500 s has been found useful for
of –COOH functionality of a polymer or other molecule.
printing inks.
DISCUSSION—Acidnumbercalculatedbythenumberofmilligramsof
potassiumhydroxideneutralizedbythefreeacidspresentin1gofresin
biocide, n—a substance that kills microorganisms such as
or other material. The determination is made by titrating the sample
bacteria, molds, slimes, fungi, etc.
with KOH in alcohol using phenolphthalein as an indicator.
DISCUSSION—Typically used in aqueous printing ink systems.
acrylates, n—chemical materials which contain the grouping
cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), n—synthetic polymers
OCOCHCH ,usuallyintheformofmonomersoroligomers.
formed by the reaction of cellulose with acetic and butyric
anhydrides.
1 DISCUSSION—CAB is typically used in solvent based liquid inks.
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
cellulose acetate proprionate (CAP), n—synthetic polymers
Subcommittee D01.37 on Ink Vehicles.
Current edition approved June 1, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally
formed by the reaction of cellulose with acetic and propionic
approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7805 – 13. DOI:
anhydrides.
10.1520/D7805-13R21.
DISCUSSION—CAP is typically used in solvent based liquid inks.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
cellulose ester, n—cellulose in which some or all of the free
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. hydroxyl groups are replaced by acidic groups.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7805 − 13 (2021)
cellulose ethers (ethyl cellulose), n—synthetic polymers gated double bonds such as rosin, tall oil or rosin acid,
formed by the reaction of wood pulp with sodium hydroxide followed by esterification with polyhydric acids.
and ethyl chloride. DISCUSSION—Fumaric resins can be used in both liquid and paste
printing inks.
clarity, n—the characteristic of a transparent body whereby
frequency sweep test, n—an evaluation of the dynamic
distinct high-contrast images or high-contrast objects (sepa-
mechanical properties, that is, the storage modulus and the
rated by some distance from the body) are observable
loss of modulus, of attest material over a range of
through the body.
frequencies, for example, 100 to 0.1 radians/sec. One can
cloud point, n—point at which compatibility is lost causing a
specifythefrequencyinunitsofHz(cycles/sec.)1Hz=6.28
resin/solvent mixture to become turbid and lose clarity. rad/sec.
DISCUSSION—The user provides a specified geometry, the oscillatory
coagulum, n—clot, curd, or coagulated albuminoid substance.
strain or stress, the temperature of the test, and the required frequency
range. The storage and loss moduli will be determined as a function of
cohesion, n—force by which the molecules of a substance are
frequency.
held together.
G', n—elastic (storage) modulus obtained from an oscillatory
cold cut, n—dispersion of resin into solvent using high shear
test represents the energy stored during each frequency cycle
dispersion without external heating.
in which the stress is divided by the corresponding linear
elastic strain.
colloid, n—solid, liquid, or gaseous substance made up of very
small, insoluble, nondiffusible particles that remain in sus-
G", n—viscous (loss) modulus obtained from an oscillatory
pension in a surrounding solid, liquid, or gaseous medium of
test represents the amount of energy lost during each
different matter.
frequency cycle or the imaginary part of the complex
modulus (for shear).
compatibility,n—ability of a mixture of two or more materials
to form a clear, homogeneous, and stable solution at room
gel, n—any polymer solution or more complex blend of resins
temperature. and alkyds that has been heat processed or reacted with a
gelling or cross-linking agent (for example, organo-
crosslinking,v—unionofhigh-polymermoleculesbyasystem
aluminum compounds) to build molecular weight and that
involving primary chemical bonds that is done either by
exhibits a pseudoplastic rheology (also called gelled ve-
addition of a chemical substance (cross-linking agent),
hicle).
exposing the mixture to heat or by subjecting the polymer to
high-energy radiation (UV or EB). gel length, n—the length of a string of gelled vehicle observed
when pulling apart a small sample of vehicle with a spatula
cure,v—thechemicalconversionfromawetfilmtoasoliddry
(that is, a long gel is very fluid and forms a “long” filament;
film.
a short gel has little flow and forms a “short” filament).
Rated as long, medium or short.
dissolution,v—point at which all resin completely dissolves in
the solvent.
gel seed, n—a non-homogeneous, gelatinous particle in a gel
vehicle, often the result of poor mixing or localized over-
elastomer, n—any rubber-like substance or polymer.
reaction during gelation.
exempt volatile compound, n—organic compounds that do
gelleant, n—see gelling agent.
not participate significantly in atmospheric photochemical
reactions. gelation, v—time dependent process by which a liquid under-
goesatransformationinrheologyduetoathree-dimensional
electron beam, n—conversion of an applied film from its
cross-linked network within the material.
application state to its final use state by means of a
gelled vehicle, n—see gel.
mechanisminitiatedbyelectronbeamradiationgeneratedby
equipment designed for that purpose.
gelling agent, n—a substance that modifies the rheological
properties of an ink vehicle by a chemical reaction. Gelling
energy curing, v—a graphic arts process for the conversion of
agents or gellants are typically organoaluminum compounds
an ink or coating to a solid film whereby reactive materials
that react with carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups present
are polymerized when exposed to a high energy source such
on the backbone of resins and alkyds to form cross-linked
as ultraviolet or an electron beam.
networks (also called gellant).
evaporation, v—change from the liquid state to a gaseous or
glass transition temperature, n—temperature at which amor-
vapor state as when solvent leaves a wet film.
phous material (such as glass or a high molecular weight
film former, n—a material that when applied to a substrate
polymer) changes from a brittle, vitreous state to a plastic
provides a continuous layer.
state.
fumaric resin, n—synthetic polymers formed by the addition grit, n—coarse foreign particles in a vehicle, often irregular in
reaction of fumaric acid to compounds containing conju- shape, that are hard, abrasive, and resistant to disintegration.
D7805 − 13 (2021)
DISCUSSION—Monomers can be used to reduce viscosity in energy
gums,n—naturaloccurringresinousmaterialssuchasguarand
curable systems.
xanthan that improve printability and rheology for water
base ink systems.
morphology, n—the shape, structure, or form of such sub-
stances as high molecular weight polymers, crystals, rein-
haze, n—a material that is not clear and somewhat cloudy.
forcing agents, and the like.
DISCUSSION—Whenappliedtotransparentmaterials,itisbasedonthe
percentage of transmitted light that is scattered relative to that which is
near-Newtonian liquid, n—liquid in which the variation of
transmitted.
viscosity with shear rate is small and the effect on viscosity
homopolymer, n—a polymer derived from a single monomer. of mechanical disturbances such as stirring is negligible.
Newtonian liquid, n—a liquid where the viscosity is indepen-
hydrocarbon oil,n—petroleum based oil that can be saturated,
unsaturated, cyclic or aromatic in nature. dent of the shear stress or shear rate.
DISCUSSION—If the ratio of shear stress to shear rate is not constant,
hydrocarbon resin, n—petroleum based resins that consist
the liquid is non-Newtonian.
exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. May be aliphatic or
nitrocellulose resin, n—naturally derived polymer produced
cyclic in nature.
by treating cellulose with mixtures of nitric and sulfonic
DISCUSSION—Hydrocarbon resins are typically used in lithographic
acids.
inks.
DISCUSSION—Nitrocellulose is typically used in solvent based liquid
hydrolysis, v—chemical reaction in which water reacts with
inks.
another substance to form one or more new substances.
non-Newtonian liquid, n—a liquid whose viscosity varies
DISCUSSION—This involves splitting of the water molecule into i
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