FTM29
scratch resistance of an uv ink
scope
This test method describes how to test the scratch resistance
of a UV ink film applied to different printed surfaces.
For this test to give reliable results it is important that the
ink has been cured to a sufficient level, and this can be
checked in advance using FTM. 2, or as a quick check a
thumb smear test can be used.
This test method is also suitable for water based and
solvent based inks and varnishes, although the original test
development has been done with UV inks.
This relatively simple test procedure can be performed by
lab personnel of a printing facility or any other who has
been instructed in use of the test equipment.
definition
The scratch resistance of an ink is normally dependent on
the level of curing of the ink film both at the surface curing
and within the bulk of the ink. The scratching of the ink film
describes the damage of an ink surface through mechanical
means, e.g. by the edge of a metallic spatula.
test equipment Temperature 23° ±-2° C / 70 - 77° F ±- ;
Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester (referred to
as a „Sclerometer“).
The Sclerometer is provided with three springs which
operate at different levels of force:
• natural: 0 – 3 N (0 lbf to 0.67 lbf)
• Red: 0 – 10 N (0 lbf to 2.2 lbf)
• Blue: 0 – 20 N (0 lbf to 4.5 lbf)
For each spring a different scale is engraved on the shank
of the Sclerometer matched to the colour of the spring.
The tip of the Scleromteter consists of a tool with a 0,75
mm (0,03“) diameter tungsten carbide tip. This is moved
over the specimen with different preset spring force.
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Picture 1: Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester
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film on different print materials
Picture 2: Tip of the Tungsten Carbide Tool
specimen
The printed labels should be fresh from the press. The
test can be performed directly after printing or after 24 h
storage.
Non printed label material should also be tested to confirm
that the unprinted surface is not being damaged by too
high a spring force, rather than the ink layer itself being the
point of failure. This will avoid confusing a failure of the
printing with a failure of the label material being printed.
conditions
Humidity: 50% RH ±- 5% RH.
preparation and procedure
Preparation of print sample
1. Remove one label from the master reel.
2. Put it on a hard surface. A polished steel plate is
prefered. The surface should be free of any scratches/
marks. If necessary fix the sample in place with
adhesive tape avoiding any wrinkles.
Preparation of Sclerometer
Loosen the knurled screw and slide of the collar off the
Sclerometer. Select the appropriate spring and insert into
the Sclerometer. Always choose the natural sprint as the
weakest to begin. Refit the collar. Find the scale on the
Sclerometer which matches the colour of the spring and
adjust the tip force by sliding the collar to the required
setting on the scale. Tighten the knurled screw.
Procedure
1. Place the Sclerometer perpendicular to the surface
being tested and apply sufficient downwards force to
compress the spring by approx. 2 mm. Do not allow
the bottom of the Sclerometer (other than the tip), to
touch the surface being tested.
2. Move the Sclerometer to produce a linear scratch of
approximately 20 mm in length
3. Inspect the tested surface of the sample for any sign
of damage.
If the ink surface is not damaged set the spring
compression to the next required force position and repeat
steps 1 – 3.
Once a scratch becomes visible it should be examined
using a magnifying glass, to determine whether there has
only been a deformation on the ink surface or whether
the ink has been scratched away from the surface. If it
is confirmed that the ink has been scratched from the
surface then it is important to identify whether it is only
the upper layers of ink that have been removed (indicating
cohesive failure within the ink), or whether the ink has
been removed down to the printing material. Both the
level of curing of the ink and the spring force used for
the Sclerometer will have an impact on this result. This
investigation is important to create comparable test results.
results
Picture 3: Distorted ink surface alongside scratched ink surface
Picture 4: Substrate in comparison: the surface is distorted above
the blue line
The scratch appearance as described in the “procedure”
leads to the following rating scale:
Level 1: distorted surface; no ink scratched off; only
the ink surface distorted
Level 2: Scratched ink surface; ink has been removed
from surface but surface of printing material is not visible
Level 3: Ink film is scratched off; surface of printing
material is visible
remarks
There will nearly always be some slight distortion of the
ink surface depending on the selected spring force, even if
the curing of the ink is excellent (level 1 on the scale), but
the ink film should not be so scratched that the printing
material surface becomes visible (see image 3 on page 4).
The target should always be to achieve a “Level 1” result.
The wide range of printing materials and printing inks
available in the market means that it is not possible to
specify a single spring force that can be applied for all
testing. This has to be evaluated for each print sample
individually. The target should be to identify the highest
possible spring force at which a “level 1” result can still be
achieved for that print material and then use this is as a
minimum for the final printed product using that material.
The advantage of this method is the simplicity with which
it can be used to reproduce the same level of scratch
resistance for repeated print jobs with the same materials
or jobs using similar materials.
Different self adhesive materials have different softness.
This leads to a different deformation of substrate and ink
and substrate together. The softer a material is, the easier
it might be damaged/scratched. This means that the same
ink on a harder substrate can be tested with a higher spring
force than on a softer material.
silicone and wax in printing inks
Silicone and waxes inside the ink intend to migrate to
the surface after curing. Waxes also have the function of
increasing scratch resistance. These migratory materials
can be pushed aside with increasing spring force, but these
inks can still be tested by this method.
combination printing
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Where ink is applied in several layers using different
printing techniques on the same line, it is important to
measure each ink layer separately directly on the printing
material. This does not mean however that overprinting ink
layers are not also tested, as it is important to understand
adhesion between different ink layers. This is especially the
case if printed using different print processes. The skilled
knowledge of the ink supplier is then important.
Issued September 2013
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