Subcommittee D01.37 on Ink Vehicles, part of ASTM International Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications, is seeking participation in the development of a proposed new standard that outlines procedures for preparing ink resin solutions in both vegetable oils and petroleum distillates.

According to Richard Czarnecki, vice president, technology, Superior Printing Ink and a D01 member, until the development of techniques used in WK17166, Practice for Preparation of Oil-Based Ink Resin Solutions Using the Thermotronic II Varnish Cooker, the evaluation of printing ink resins was a manual process with many variables that were not controlled, including heating time, temperature ramp rate and mixing speed. It will be possible to control these factors with WK17166.

“The procedures in this proposed standard have been accepted by both printing ink manufacturers and ink resin suppliers,” says Czarnecki. “With WK17166, both supplier and customers will be able to run the same test methodology to check resin properties like rheology and cloud point.” Czarnecki also notes that the proposed standard will be used by manufacturers of rosin-based resins, as well as by all major ink manufacturers.

For further technical information, contact Richard Czarnecki, Superior Printing Ink, Teterboro, N.J. (phone: 201/478-5660; rczarnecki@superiorink.com). Committee D01 meets Jan. 20-22 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. For membership or meeting information, contact Jeff Adkins, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9738; jadkins@astm.org).

Release #7863