Attachment_D_-_Ref_Doc_2.1.4_STM300.003ChemicalResistanceTest.pdf

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Document STM 300.003 Chemical Resistance Test

BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING

OFFICE OF MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY

ECF QUALITY ASSURANCE DIVISION

STANDARD TEST

METHOD

STM 300.003

Revision #6

Tit le: Chemical Resistance Test

EFFECTIVE DATE:

May 12, 2011

SUPERSEDES:

March 31, 2008 Page 1 of 6

ECF Quality Assurance Division Manger: Julie Evans

<SIGNED>

Prepared By: VH and CC

I. PURPOSE

This standard test method is used to evaluate the chemical resistance of currency in the various liquid chemicals listed in Section H below. The evaluation will include chemical resistance of the features in currency paper to adverse visual modification, to adverse ink-substrate adhesion, to adverse wear-and-tear, and to susceptibility of intentional tampering of anti-counterfeit features that are incorporated into the currency.

II. SCOPE

This method covers chemical resistance analysis for ink images on all types of currency papers approved for BEP use such as in-process, printed sheets, and finished currency notes. This will involve testing and evaluating ink adhesion and overall structure durability;

and, when applicable, the method will involve testing and evaluating windowed thread adhesion.

III. REFERENCES

A. Bureau of Engraving and Printing Standard Test Method STM 300.004, “Preparation of Unexamined and Examined Blank Engraved (UBE & EBE) Sheets and Federal Reserve Notes (FRN) for Durability Testing"

B. “Control of Nonconforming Product” 93.00-1 (4.13)

C. Production Information and Test Results Form

IV. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

A. One liter or 16 oz. glass jars or equivalent with Teflon covers that are large enough for both the samples and solvents

B. Filter paper (Fisher P5, medium porosity)

C. Sutherland Rub Tester with 2 lb. weight spruillc Typewritten Text Attachment C

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Document STM 300.003 Chemical Resistance Test

D. High wet strength rub paper, non-distinctive banknote paper

E. Plates, metal, safety glass, or plastic (Note: if plastic, ensure that the material is compatible with the particular chemical used)

F. Graduated windowed thread adhesion probe {Micro-Ruler, 10 mm, with Handle (or equivalent) from Ted Pella, Inc.; P.O. Box 492477; Redding, CA 96049-2477;

www.tedpella.com; Product Number 13635} Phone: (800) 237-3526

G. Tap water

H. Liquid Chemicals

Label# As Listed Below Concentration/Properties

1. Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) Reagent Grade, 1% v/v, aqueous

2. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH ) Pellets, >97% assay, 2% w/v, aqueous

3. Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) 5.25 or 6.00% household bleach diluted

1:4 and 1:4.6, respectively, with DI water.

Bleach not to exceed manufacture date by more than 2 years

4. Ethanol (C2H5OH) Denatured, 95% by volume or 190 proof

5. Tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4) Reagent grade, undiluted

6. Toluene, (C6H5CH3) Certified ACS Grade, undiluted

7. Acetone, (C3H6O) Certified ACS Grade, undiluted

8. Gasoline, (unleaded) Undiluted

9. Odorless Mineral Spirits Undiluted Properties: Boiling Point

Range 340 - 400 ºF (171- 204 ºC) @ 760 mmHg Flash Point, minimum 118˚F (48˚C)

V. TEST CONDITIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

A. Tests shall be conducted inside of a fume hood. Air drying of the tested specimens should also be conducted in a fume hood before evaluation and storage.

B. Personal Protective Equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, and appropriate protective garments are required.

http://www.tedpella.com/�

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Document STM 300.003 Chemical Resistance Test

VI. PROCEDURES:

A. Sampling and Sample Preparation

Prepare samples according to reference (A) based on the type of test being conducted.

Note: Sample preparation for the chemical soak test may be reduced by using the entire note. However, ensure that the chemical fully covers the notes, the notes are not creased, and the chemicals are changed after about every five

(5) specimens.

B. Chemical Soak Test

1. Obtain nine (9) pre-labeled jars for the liquid chemicals # 1 - 9 (one for each chemical as listed in Section IV, Part H).

2. Place at least 50 ml of each chemical in the appropriate labeled jar, and replace chemicals after about five (5) specimens have been tested.

3. Place a maximum of five (5) specimens in each jar one at a time and ensure that each specimen is thoroughly covered in the chemical before capping the jars. Note: A sufficient amount of chemical required for complete immersion will vary dependant on the number of specimens being tested in the same container.

4. Add additional chemical if needed to completely immerse all the specimens.

5. The specimens should float freely in the chemical to ensure that they are not stuck together or against the side wall of the jar.

6. Allow the specimens to soak without agitation at room temperature for a period of 24 ± 2 hours.

7. For notes removed from H2SO4, NaOH, and NaOCl (bleach), gently rinse in a container with cool tap water.

8. For specimens removed from the remaindering chemicals, allow the excess chemical to drip off the notes.

9. Individually sandwich each specimen between filter paper that is folded in half and put them between 2 metal, safety glass, or plastic plates.

Optional: When the specimens have been positioned on the filter paper, staple the specimens in place.

Information in printed paper copies of this document and any document referred to herein is valid only for 24 hours of the print date.

Document STM 300.003 Chemical Resistance Test

10. Allow the filter paper and specimens to remain between the two plates for about one hour.

C. Sutherland Rub Test

1. Wrap a strip of rub paper around the 907-gram (~2 lb.) weight and attach with either Scotch tape or the spring clips.

2. Lay one note on the rub tester test platform and attach with Scotch tape.

3. Set the tester for 20 cycles (each cycle consists of two rubs or strokes).

4. Apply 1 ml of the select solvent (1 of 9) with a 1-ml pipette/dropper across the full center length of the note. Attach the weight, with the attached paper strip, to the rub tester.

5. Start the tester.

6. When the rub tester stops, remove the weight. Tape the note to the back of the rub paper with Scotch tape.

7. Hang the notes and the rub paper in the fume hood to air dry.

VII. EVALUATION

A. Ink Images Resistance to Chemicals and Rub

1. Visually examine the physical characteristics of the note and evaluate based on the acceptance criteria listed on the Production and Information Test Results Form.

2. For specimens that fail to meet the Evaluation/Acceptance Criteria listed on the Production Information and Test Results, document the discrepancy on reference C and follow the procedures in reference B.

3. Note any change in color or physical appearance of the ink in comparison to reference notes from the same population as that of the specimens.

B. Windowed Thread Resistance to Chemicals and Rub

An inferior rating is defined as a change in color, size, shape or appearance of the images on the thread in comparison to reference notes from the same population as that of the specimens. A failure is defined as a complete loss of color, the images’ movement or other optically variable effects.

After the 24-hour chemical soak, there shall be no more than three inferior ratings from the nine soaks and no failure when compared to an untested specimen. Moreover, after the paper is rubbed with the chemicals in the rub test, the images on the windowed thread shall not be significantly degraded or eliminated and the images designed for movement shall not be quenched.

Information in printed paper copies of this document and any document referred to herein is valid only for 24 hours of the print date.

Document STM 300.003 Chemical Resistance Test

In addition, after the windowed thread in the paper is soaked or rubbed with the chemicals, the exposed portions of the thread shall remain bonded to the surface of the paper such that when a graduated probe is run along the entire length of each side of the exposed portions of the thread, there shall be no more than 3 millimeters of the thread in the cross direction not adhered to the surface of the paper at any point along the length of the exposed portions of the thread.

1. Evaluate windowed thread bonding to paper after a minimum drying time of

12 hours using the graduated probe. Measure the maximum amount of windowed thread peel from the paper along both sides of the entire length of the windowed thread. The maximum amount of windowed thread peeling is measured at any point in the cross direction along the entire length of the exposed portions of the windowed thread. Note: If the windowed thread is peeled on both sides of a cross directional point, the peel amount will be the sum of both measurements.

2. Record the maximum individual measurements of windowed thread peeling on the Chemical Resistance Data log book along with the solvent that caused the peel and product information.

3. Evaluate based on the acceptance criteria indicated on the Production

Information and Test Results Form and the instructions above in this section.

VIII. REPORTING of RESULTS

Report as pass or fail and the name of the chemical in which the specimens were tested, the feature tested (black, green, IR, OVI inks, windowed thread, etc.), and note visual observations, especially where failures are determined.

REVISION

PURPOSE OF REVISION

EFFECTIVE

DATE

1 Introduction of Type IV currency paper 3/13/03

Change numbering system, correct chemical information in Section IV, delete Dip Stick Tests, misc. corrections

12/15/03

Update procedures for new reference and solvent usage frequency and practices

9/30/05

4 Update for BEP realignment 1/17/07 5 Added procedures for testing and evaluating windowed thread 3/31/08 6 To update procedure, particularly for the percent NaOCl 5/12/11

PURPOSE OF REVISION

dtstamp: 05/02/2014 8:43 am