This test method will find use by parties concerned with the relative level of physical strength stability over time of various printing and writing papers.

The test will provide manufacturers, paper users and other interested parties with rankings of paper stability that identify papers that will be stable and those that will be unstable when aged under normal conditions of use and handling over time.

The stability rankings may be used for definition of the stability of a given printing and writing paper to aging over time when subjected to reasonable conditions of use and handling. These rankings will not define specific periods of life expectancy, as the limit of mechanical strength property acceptability will be different for various users of a given paper.

1.1 This test method describes a laboratory procedure for accelerating the aging of printing and writing paper within sealed glass tubes through exposure to elevated temperature within an oven.

1.2 This test method applies to all types of printing and writing paper whether it is plain base paper, has internal additives, is coated, is printed or contains any variants of printing and writing paper found in normal usage.

1.3 This test method specifies the sample preparation and conditions of exposure required to obtain information on the stability of paper to aging with regard to changes in mechanical strength properties brought about by exposure of such paper to elevated temperature.

1.4 This test method provides the means to compare the stability of different papers on a relative basis, but does not attempt to project the exact life expectancy for a given paper. Life expectancy depends in large part on the limits of acceptability beyond which various paper properties are no longer useful, as defined by end-users. For a given paper, those limits will be different for different end-users. This test method does not provide a means to measure or to calculate such life expectancy.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.