Abrasion and smudge resistance during handling, transport, and storage is essential to prevent the marring or smudging of images produced from business imaging products. Recognizing that the actual amount of abrasion/smudge occurring depends on relative humidity, temperature, and a host of other variables, this practice provides a means for comparing the abrasion and smudge resistance of images produced from business imaging products under laboratory conditions.

This practice may be used to determine the abrasion and smudge resistance of images produced from business imaging products such as typewriters, copiers, impact printers, and nonimpact printers.

This practice may also be used to evaluate the relative abrasion and smudge resistance of various ribbons, inks, and toners.

This practice may be used for control of product quality, comparative analysis of machines, or as a research and development tool.

1.1 This practice covers the procedure for determining the abrasion and smudge resistance of images produced from office products using a GA-CAT comprehensive abrasion tester.

1.2 This practice is applicable to images produced from business imaging products such as typewriters, copiers, impact printers, and non-impact printers.

1.3 Other test methods using the Crockmeter, Sutherland rub tester, and Taber Abrader can be employed to evaluate smudge and abrasion characteristics. The results obtained by these units are not necessarily equivalent to those obtained with the GA-CAT.

1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

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.