Ink Rub-Resistance Testing

Dear all,

We have recently been given access to an abrasion tester (A taber abraser machine) that we would like to start using for recording rub resistance of our sheetfed inks and for when we trial new ones. Do any of you have experience with this? I am trying to find out what a normal testing procedure would involve (yes I know each plant might be different for what they are looking for, im just looking for general principles and things like what a normal printer might look for or expect out of this kind of testing).

How many cycles should it be set for?
What type of abraser or cloths should be used?
What weight resistance should be used?
Anything else I might need to know?

Thanks for your comments if you have a second!

-K

I know our ink supplier uses the Sutherland Rub Tester, 25 strokes with a 4lb. weight.
Hope this helps.

This article can be used to understand the test method about Abrasion test: http://www.testextextile.com/martindale-abrasion-test/
DIN Abrasion Tester,to determine abrasion of flexible materials, such as rubber, tires, leather etc.,as well as sheetfed.

Dear K,

The test cycles, abrasive wheel, and the weight should be used according to your test standard. You can also consult this with your supplier. I think they can give a detialed instruction for you. I once asked for help about Martindale abrasion from my supplier Unuo Instruments. They did a great job. The taber abrasion tester is also found in their business scope. Hope my information is helpful to you. https://www.unuo-instruments.com/taber-abrasion-machine

Kim

Be sure to also test rub resistance with coating applied as well as without coating.

I just noticed the original enquiry is from 2013, so this is no doubt too late..... but my 2 cents worth, from a retired inkie.

The Taber and Sutherland are somewhat different in what they evaluate. While the two characteristics are somewhat related relative to ink formula, the Sutherland is good for determining surface slip, while the Taber is more of an indicator of ink film toughness or adhesion to the substrate. Wax will improve the Sutherland results, where a film toughener or tougher resin will improve the Taber results.

My field was publication printing, so substrate was paper. The Taber wheels would chew the heck out of the substrate. We used special nylon brushes which took the place of the wheels. Each arm also had a weight, I believe 50 grams each. Test was generally run for 100 revolutions.

Sutherland was either a two or four pound weight, ink film to ink film, cycles- one back and forth motion- depended on what you were testing.

Which instrument is more appropriate depends on what you are trying to evaluate.