Designation: F767 − 98 (Reapproved 2013)

Standard Test Method for

Image Stability of Chemical Carbonless Paper to Light1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F767; 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 Images are produced either on the coated front (CF) surface of
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the image CF paper or on the CF surface of the coated front and back
stability of chemical carbonless paper by exposure to fluores- (CFB) paper. A portion of the image area for each test sample
cent light for a controlled time period. Stability to light is and control is exposed to fluorescent light for a controlled
determined by visual comparison between exposed and unex- period of time. Image stability to light is determined by visual
posed samples. comparison of exposed and unexposed imaged areas of the
same sample to exposed and unexposed imaged areas of a
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded control paper. Comparisons are made by establishing an
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical image-stability ranking order.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard. 4. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.1 This test method is a comparative test for determining
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the the relative image stability of chemical carbonless paper
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- samples.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.2 The light source used simulates that of an office
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
environment, while accelerating image fade.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Interferences
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
5.1 Test results will depend upon image intensity and the
D585 Practice for Sampling and Accepting a Single Lot of
imaging method. The greater the pressure of the imaging
Paper, Paperboard, Fiberboard, and Related Product
device, the greater the amount of reactive material transferred,
(Withdrawn 2010)3
and the greater the intensity of the image. Fade resistance is
F221 Terminology Relating to Carbon Paper and Inked
generally increased when the intensity is high. Also, all
Ribbon Products and Images Made Therefrom
carbonless papers do not exhibit the same reactive material
F497 Practice for Use of the Electric and Electronic Type-
transfer efficiency with different imaging devices. Therefore,
writer as a Test Instrument
the imaging device used should ideally be the same as that on
F549 Terminology Relating to Carbonless Copy Products
which the paper that is used in the final application. If this is
3. Summary of Test Method not possible, a commercial office electric typewriter set in
accordance with Practice F497 (maximum impact pressure
3.1 Carbonless paper to be tested and previously tested
without embossing) should be used.
control paper are selected and prepared for imaging. The test
samples and control shall be imaged during the same time 5.2 The image produced on carbonless paper is a result of
period with the same imaging device and pressure settings. the interaction of the coated back (CB) and coated front (CF)
surfaces. The light stability of the image is thus a function of
both coatings. Although the images on the CF surface are
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on Business exposed to light with this method, what is actually being tested
Imaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.06 on
Carbonless and Thermal Imaging Products. is the light stability of the CB-CF combination. Therefore a CB
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published April 2013. Originally paper is tested in combination with a CF paper, and vice versa;
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as F767 – 98 (2008). a coated front and back (CFB) paper is tested separately with
DOI: 10.1520/F0767-98R13.
2
a CB paper and a CF paper to evaluate both surfaces.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM 5.3 Only the images from the same combinations of coated
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
papers should be compared (CB-CF; CB-CFB; CFB-CF;
the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on CFB-CFB) since one side of most chemical carbonless papers
www.astm.org. is affected by light more than the other.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 F767 − 98 (2013)
5.4 Any variation in light intensity or in the ambient F15T12 cool white fluorescent tubes. Mount the fixtures and
conditions of temperature or humidity, or both, could affect the tubes parallel to and across the 21-in. (533-mm) dimension of
results. Observe the manufacturer’s recommendations for lamp the cabinet, and center 33⁄4 in. (95 mm) apart. The rear fixture
life. should be 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) from the rear of the cabinet, and the
5.5 Testing differences between test facilities using replace- front fixture 1 in. (25 mm) from the front of the cabinet.
ment lamps may result in ranking differences due to differences 6.2.3 Single-Pole Single-Throw Switch, 10-A, 120-V, in-
in spectral output. stalled outside the right side of the cabinet and wired to the
lamp fixtures.
6. Apparatus 6.2.4 Blower, 120-V, 60-Hz, rated at 15 c ft3/min (free air)
6.1 Commercial Offıce Typewriter, set in accordance with minimum mounted outside the left side of the cabinet to
Practice F497, or other imaging device as explained in 5.1. provide cooling to prevent heat buildup from the lamps. Cut a
hole the size of the blower outlet through the cabinet panel to
6.2 Light-Exposure Cabinet, constructed as follows (see allow air into the cabinet interior. Mount the blower at the
Fig. 1): center of the panel.
6.2.1 Cabinet, built from 1⁄2-in. (13-mm) plywood. It should 6.2.5 Single-Pole Single-Throw Switch, 10-A, 120-V,
have exterior dimensions of 21-in. (533 mm) width by 113⁄4-in. mounted directly under the blower.
(298-mm) height by 13-in. (330-mm) depth. The front panel 6.2.6 Exhaust Vent, 6 by 10-in. (152 by 254-mm), con-
should be hinged to provide a door for inserting and removing structed on the left side of the rear panel.
test specimens. A 21-in. (533-mm) width by 31⁄2-in. (89-mm) 6.2.7 All electrical accessories should be wired to a 120-V
height by 113⁄4-in. (298-mm) depth cabinet base is recom- a-c service cord with ground. A15-A, 120-V slow-blow fuse
mended to provide easy door movement on a flat table. The should be installed in line with the service cord.
interior of the cabinet should be painted with a flat white paint.
6.2.2 Unshielded Fluorescent Light Fixtures, three 120-V, 7. Materials
60-Hz, with rapid start ballasts should be installed in the top of 7.1 Sheets of Paperboard, 81⁄2 by 11-in. (216 by 279-mm),
the cabinet interior. The fixtures should be equipped with made from recycled paper stock and commonly referred to as

1. Base 6. F15T12 cool white fluorescent tube

2. Exhaust vent 7. Unshielded fluorescent fixtures
3. Shaded pole blower 8. Door hinges
4. Fan switch 9. Door knob
5. Light switch

FIG. 1 Light Exposure Cabinet

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 F767 − 98 (2013)
“chipboard.” Plain 20 point chipboard with an approximate 10.1.6 Repeat 10.1.1 through 10.1.5 for each carbonless
basis weight of (376 g/m2) is recommended. Sheets of other paper to be tested, including the control. Label each as to
completely opaque materials that are poor heat conductors and manufacturer, lot number, roll number, basis weight, grade, and
do not interact with the CF and CB coatings may be substituted coating.
for chipboard.
10.2 Preparing Samples for Light Exposures:
7.2 Previously tested carbonless papers to serve as controls 10.2.1 Cut an 8 1⁄2 by 3-in. (216 by 76-mm) grain short
and test references. sample from an imaged CF sheet with the imaged area running
8. Sampling full width across the 8 1⁄2-in. dimension and located in the
center of the 3-in. dimension.
8.1 Sample the carbonless paper to be tested in accordance
10.2.2 Staple the sample to an 8 1⁄2 by 3-in. (216 by 76-mm)
with Practice D585.
sheet of chipboard. Expose the imaged surface.
9. Test Specimens 10.2.3 Staple a 4-1⁄4 by 3-in. (108 by 76-mm) piece of
9.1 The test specimens shall be 81⁄2 by 11-in. (216 by chipboard over one half of the sample, exposing the test area.
279-mm) sheets of the CF, CB, and CFB carbonless papers. The chipboard will shield one half of the sample from light,
The 11-in. dimension should be parallel to the machine providing visual observation of image fade during and upon
direction of the paper. completion of the testing.
10.2.4 Repeat 10.2.1 – 10.2.3 for each imaged CF sheet,
9.2 For each CF test sheet, select an 81⁄2 by 11-in. (216 by
both samples and control.
279-mm) sheet of CB carbonless. The CB sheet used should, if
possible, be the same as that manifolded with the CF test sheet 10.3 Light Exposure:
in its final application. If this is not possible, use the CB sheet 10.3.1 Turn on cabinet lights and blower a minimum of 2 h
recommended by the CF paper manufacturer. Similarly for prior to introduction of the samples. If new lamps have been
each CB test sheet, select a CF sheet under the same conditions installed, a longer time of several days is suggested.
as above. 10.3.2 Place the samples and control in the light exposure
9.3 Each CFB test sheet requires a CF and a CB sheet. cabinet with the imaged side up exposed to the light source. Do
When imaging from the CB surface of the CFB test sheet, not overlap or place specimens on top of one another. A
place a CF sheet underneath the CB surface with the CF maximum of five specimens (four test samples and the control)
surface of the CF sheet in contact with the CB surface of the may be placed in the cabinet with the 8-1⁄2-in. (216-mm)
CFB test sheet. When imaging onto the CF surface of the CFB dimension running front to rear.
test sheet, place a CB sheet on top of the CFB test sheet with 10.3.3 Expose the specimens to cabinet light for 144 6 2 h
the CB surface of the CB sheet in contact with the CF surface continuously. Rotate the specimens daily so that each specimen
of the CFB test sheet. The types of CF and CB sheets used with is located on the left, center, and right for an equal time during
the CFB test sheet follow the same conditions as noted in 9.2. the 144 h.
10. Procedure 10.3.4 At the end of the exposure period, remove the
specimens from the light exposure cabinet.
10.1 Testing CF Sheets:
10.1.1 Manifold one CF sheet with a CB sheet with the CF 10.4 Testing CB Sheets:
and CB surfaces in contact with each other. The CF sheet 10.4.1 Repeat 10.1.1 – 10.3.4.
should be on the bottom. Handle sheets by their edges only,
10.5 Testing CFB Sheets-CF Surface:
since finger prints may affect image development.
10.1.2 In 10.1.3 through 10.1.4 an imaging device other 10.5.1 Manifold one CB sheet with a CFB sheet, with the
than a typewriter may be used, as explained in 5.1. CB sheet on top and its surface in contact with the CF surface
10.1.3 Place the manifold set in an electric typewriter with of the CFB sheet. Place a sheet of 12-lb Bond paper next to the
the 11-in. (279-mm) dimension perpendicular to the rollers. CB surface of the CFB paper, as CB material may transfer onto
Type a line of the character # across the full 81⁄2-in. (216-mm) the typewriter rollers. Handle sheets by their edges only, since
width of the set. Using the manual return with no line feed, fingerprints may affect image development.
return to the first character. Type an X over each #. 10.5.2 Repeat 10.1.2 – 10.1.4.
10.1.4 Using the manual line feed (on single spacing), move 10.5.3 Remove the manifold set from the typewriter. Sepa-
down to the next line and repeat 10.1.3. Continue until at least rate the CFB sheet and store it in a dark drawer with the imaged
seven lines have been typed. The depth of the 8 1 ⁄2-in. side up. Allow 24 h for complete image development.
(216-mm) wide imaged area should be 1 in. (25-mm) mini- 10.5.4 Repeat 10.1.6 – 10.3.4.
mum.
10.1.5 Remove the manifold set from the typewriter. Sepa- 10.6 Testing CFB Sheet-CB Surface:
rate the CF sheet from the CB sheet and store the CF sheet in 10.6.1 Manifold one CF sheet with a CFB sheet with the CF
a dark drawer with the imaged side up. Time for image sheet on the bottom and its surface of the CF sheet in contact
development prior to light exposure should be the same for all with the CB surface of the CFB sheet. Handle sheets by their
samples which are to be compared. Allow 24 h for complete edges only since fingerprints may affect image development.
image development. 10.6.2 Repeat 10.1.2 – 10.3.4.

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 F767 − 98 (2013)
11. Interpretation of Results 12.2 Report on the stability of each sample compared to the
11.1 Compare visually the exposed and unexposed area of control as found in 11.3. Samples can also be compared with
the control to a previously tested control of the same combi- each other.
nations of papers. This comparison ensures that the test was run 12.3 Establish a ranking order based on the evaluations of
properly. If obvious differences exist, check the operation of 11.3 with the control or among themselves, if required.
the cabinet, the operation of the imaging device, and other
aspects of the test. When the difficulty has been found and 13. Precision and Bias
eliminated, rerun the test.
11.2 Compare the exposed and unexposed areas of each 13.1 Determination of ranking order is repeatable within a
specimen. Note changes in image intensity, image color, image laboratory and reproducible between laboratories. The test is a
sharpness, and background color. comparative test, is subjective, and no quantitative data are
intended.
11.3 Compare each specimen to the control. Note the
changes in stability of each sample and rate them to the control
14. Keywords
as demonstrated in 11.2. (If the test objective is to compare
different specimens, note the changes in stability of each 14.1 carbonless copy paper; carbonless paper; chemical
sample compared to each other.) carbonless paper; image stability; light stability

12. Report
12.1 Report significant changes found in 11.2 for each
sample tested.

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