Specifications for Card Sleeves and Polyester Jackets for 10", 12" and 16" Audio Discs

Specification Number 200-233-6/19/02

This specification is provided as a public service by the Preservation Directorate of the Library of Congress. Any commercial reproduction that implies endorsement of a product, service or materials, in any publication, is strictly prohibited by law. This Specification is written for L.C. purchasing purposes and is subject to change when necessary.

I. General Specifications - II. Product Requirements - III. Inspection

I. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

This preservation housing is a two-part system of a card stock sleeve with a polyester (polyethylene terepthalate) three-sides-sealed jacket which fits over the sleeve. This protects the audio disc from dust and handling. The sleeves and jackets must meet dimension requirements precisely so that the jacket fits easily but not loosely over the sleeve.
The polyester jackets must meet #500-532 Specification for Polyester Three-Sides-Sealed Enclosures.
All edges of the card must be cut cleanly with no fraying to avoid dust or debris on the audio discs.
The vendor must send samples for size approval before manufacturing the order.
Pre-approval of the card is also an option at the manufacturer's request.

A. Stock Composition

Pulp:
- Fiber: The stock should be made from rag or other high alpha-cellulose content pulp. It must not contain any post consumer waste recycled pulp.
- Lignin: The stock must give a negative reading for lignin as determined by the phloroglucinol test when tested according to ASTM D 1030, X5 spot stains and shall have a Kappa number of 5 or less when tested according to TAPPI T 236 cm-85.
- Impurities: The stock must be free of metal particles, waxes, plasticizers, residual bleach, peroxide, sulfur (which will be less than 0.0008% reducible sulfur as determined by TAPPI T 406 om-88), and other components that could lead to the degradation of the paper and artifacts stored therein.
- Metallic Impurities: Iron must not exceed 150 ppm and copper shall not exceed 6 PPM when tested according to TAPPI T 266.
- Optical Brighteners: The stock must be free of optical brightening agents.
pH:
The stock should be neutral and have a pH value within a range of 8.0 to 9.5 as determined by TAPPI T 509 om-88, cold extraction (modified by slurrying sample pulp before measurement).
Alkaline Reserve:
The alkaline reserve should have 2% and a maximum of 5% calculated as CaCo₃ when tested according to ASTM 4988-89.
Sizing:
Only neutral or alkaline sizing shall be used. No alum rosin or rosin sizing should be used as determined by ASTM D 549-88.
Thickness and Basis Weight:
- 20 pt. card: the minimum basis weight should be 250 lbs/3,000 ft.²
Folding Endurance:
The stock must meet the minimum requirement of 1000 double folds in the machine direction using a 1 kg. load. Tests to be conducted according to the MIT Fold Endurance Test as described by TAPPI T 511 om-88, after conditioning according to TAPPI T 402 om-88.
Color:
- The color of the stock will normally be tan, cream, buff or will be specified on the purchase order. The color must not be so dark that it obscures color-dependent test evaluations.
- Bleeding: The color must show no bleeding when soaked in distilled water for 48 hours while held under suitable weight in contact with white bond paper. The color must not rub off.
- Retention: The color of the stock must not change more than 5 points of brightness as measured by directional reflectance at 457 nm (TAPPI T 452 om-92), when exposed 24 hours to a Xenon arc lamp in an Atlas Weatherometer under the following conditions: Irradiance Level: 1.0 watts/m² at 420 nm. Inner filter: Borosilicate glass. Outer filter: clear soda lime glass. Black panel temperature: 50°C. Wet bulb depression: 8.5°C.
Surfaces and Smoothness:
The surfaces of the stock must be free of fingerprints, dirt, bubbles, knots, shives and other abrasive particles. The stock is to be smooth, e.g., calendered, hot-rolled, and/or water polished. The stock must show a smoothness within the range of 175 to 220 Sheffield units, when tested according to TAPPI 538 om-88.
Creases of Folds:
The stock should not fray, crack or split when folded and/or creased.
Abrasion:
The outer surfaces of the stock must show a loss of less than 2% of the total weight (mounting card and sample) when tested with a #CS10 wheel and 100 wear cycles according to TAPPI T 476 om-84.
Stiffness:
Stiffness will be evaluated according to TAPPI 489 om-86, after conditioning by TAPPI method T 402 om-88.
- 20 pt. card must have a minimum internal stiffness of 380 Taber units in the machine direction and 160 in the cross direction. Less than this will be cause for rejection of order.
Adhesive:
If an adhesive is required, it must not soften or run. The adhesive must not cause the stock to become transparent or alter the color of the stock. The adhesive must not yellow, discolor, or fail (causing delamination) over time. When used, the adhesive must not extend beyond the joined area.
Planar Distortion:
There must be minimal planar distortion upon visual inspection.

B. Identification

Information:
Each card sleeve should be stamped with a line of identification on both seams. The seam on the tapered side of the sleeve should read: The Library of Congress. The other seam should have the name of the manufacturer, year of manufacture, and actual pH. For example: Mfr, 2002, pH 9.0
Placement and Size:
- Placement: Both lines should be centered on the seams.
  Font: The font should be with serif, such as Baskerville or Palatino. Call for clarification is not available.
- Size: "The Library of Congress" should be in 36 pt. type, upper and lower case, and fit easily within the 3/4"seam flap. "Mfr., year, pH" should be in 10 pt. type, both upper and lower case.
Stamping Method:
The inked stamp impression should be neat without excess ink and there must be no penetration to the interior of the jacket. There must be no ink on the inside of the sleeves. The ink must not smear, bleed, fade or rub off after drying.

C. Packaging

Inner Wrapper:
I.D.: If packaged in groups, each package must plainly identify the type, size and number of items within, the name of the supplier or manufacturer, year of manufacture, manufacturing run or batch number
Packing Method:
The sleeves and jackets must be packed in such a way that they arrive flat, without curling, creases or bends.
Outer Wrapper:
The items must be packed in standard commercial containers which are constructed to ensure that they arrive at the Landover Center Annex or the James Madison Building in dry, undamaged condition.
ID: The outside of each container must be identified by type (SLEEVE and/or POLYESTER JACKET), size and number of items within, manufacturing run or batch number, Purchase Order or Contract number.

D. Testing

Responsibility:
The supplier is responsible for meeting all the requirements specified herein. The Library of Congress has the right to perform any of the tests set forth in the specification where such tests are deemed necessary to ensure that supplies conform to prescribed requirements.
Sampling:
To sample for testing, shipments will be sampled according to MIL-STD-105E at inspection level S-2 with an acceptance quality level of 2.5 percent defective from each lot offered. Copies of MIL-STD-105E are available from Naval Publications and Forms Center, Standardization Document Order Department, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.
Methods:
Tests will be conducted in accordance with specified test methods of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). Publications describing these tests may be ordered directly from the technical associations at the following address:
- ANSI, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
- ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- TAPPI, One Dunwoody Park, Atlanta, GA 30348

Tests:

Requirements		Test Method
Lignin	negative/Kappa 5	ASTM D 1030, X5 or TAPPI 236 cm-85
Reducible Sulfur	< 0.0008%	TAPPI T 406 om-88
Iron	< 150 PPM	TAPPI T-266
Copper	< 6 PPM	TAPPI T-266
pH	8.0-9.5 pH	TAPPI T 509 om-88. cold extraction, slurried pulp
Alkaline Reserve	2 - 5%	ASTM D 4988-89
Alum Rosin Sizing	negative	ASTM D 549-88
Basis Weight	20 pt: 250 lbs./3,000 ft²	TAPPI 410 om-93
Folding Endurance	750 MD	TAPPI T 511 om-88, and TAPPI T 402 om-88
Color Bleeding	none	See above, "I. 8. Color"
Color Retention	< 5 points	TAPPI T 452 om-87
Smoothness	175-220 Sheffield	TAPPI 538 om-88
Abrasion	< 2%	TAPPI 476 om-84
Stiffness	20 pt: 380MD, 160 CD Taber units	TAPPI 489 om-86

E. Quality Assurance Inspection

Sampling:
To evaluate non-tested requirements, shipments will be sampled according to MIL-STD-105E at inspection level S-2 with an acceptable quality level of 4.0 percent defective from each lot offered.

II. PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

: Card Sleeves and Polyester Jackets for 10", 12" and 16" Audio Discs

A. Jackets and Sleeve: overview of use
This preservation housing is a two part system of a card stock sleeve with a circular cut-out and a polyester (polyethylene terepthalate) three-sides-sealed jacket which fits over the sleeve. This protects the audio disc from dust and handling. The sleeves and jackets must meet the dimension requirements precisely so that the jacket fits easily but not loosely over the sleeve. See diagram below.

B. Construction

VENDOR MUST SEND SAMPLE FOR APPROVAL BEFORE BEGINNING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE ORDER.
Pre-Approval of the card is also an option an the manufacturer's request.
All edges of the card must be cut cleanly with no fraying to avoid dust or debris on the audio discs.

Card Sleeves
1. Overall Construction
  - Each sleeve should consist of one blank 20 pt. card stock which meets the specifications above.
  - THE GRAIN (machine direction) of the card stock should run PARALLEL TO THE FOLD and open end of the sleeves and perpendicular to the seams.
  - The sleeves must allow the insertion of phonograph discs without binding or gaping.
  - The front and back of the sleeves should be the same height. i.e., the cut edges on the open end should be aligned.
  - The sleeves must be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear during use.
  - THE SLEEVES MUST LIE FLAT, NOT GAPE AND NOT CURL OR HAVE PLANAR DISTORTION.
2. Seams
  - The sleeves are constructed with seams of folded flaps adhered to the outer side.
  - The flaps should be on two opposite sides creating side seams which are 3/4" wide. Center or L-seam constructions are not acceptable.
  - The flaps should have rounded corners (see diagrams).
  - The seams should be sealed along the complete length of the flaps by an adhesive which is at least 1/8" away from the fold edge and as close as possible to the cut edge of the seam flap without extending beyond the seam.
  - The seams must remain adhered and not fail during use and for the lifetime of the sleeve.
  - The seams should be smooth and flat with no puckering.
  - There must be no adhesive which extends beyond the flap on the inside or the outside of the enclosure, nor should the adhesive cause lumps in the card.
  - The gap between the fold of the seam flaps and the back sheet of the envelope should not be more than 1/8" on the inside.
3. Bottom Corners of the Sleeves
  - There should be no opening at the bottom corners of the sleeves that would allow dust to enter.
4. Central Cutout
  - A circular cutout should be centered and aligned on both the front and back of the inner sleeves.
  - THE EDGES OF THE CUTOUT MUST BE SMOOTHLY CUT WITH NO FRAYING.
5. Squareness
  - All angles of the sleeves must be square except the tapered edge.
Polyester Jacket
- The polyester sleeve should be constructed of 3 mil polyethylene terepthalate which meets LC Specification for Polyester, #500-532.
- The jacket should fit easily but not loosely over the sleeve, without any puckering, gaping or binding.

C. Workmanship

The folders must be cut straight with accurately squared sides.
The sizes should be accurate.
All edges of the card must be cut cleanly with no fraying to avoid dust or debris on the discs.

D. Outer Dimensions (See diagram)

THE POLYESTER JACKET MUST FIT NEATLY OVER THE CARD SLEEVE.
THE VENDOR MUST ASSURE ACCURACY OF SIZES TO ENSURE THE PARTS FIT WELL.
THESE OUTER DIMENSIONS ARE THE MINIMUM SIZE WITH A TOLERANCE TO BE 1/16" LARGER, AND NOT SMALLER, AS LONG AS THE PARTS FIT.

Outer Dimensions	10"	12"	16"
Card Sleeves Distance from bottom fold to open end:	10 5/16"	12 1/4"	16 1/4"
Distance from side to side: (seam fold to seam fold)	10 15/32"	12 3/8"	16 1/4"
Center Hole Diameter:	4"	4"	5"
Polyester Jacket	10 13/16" x 10 13/16"	12 3/4" x 12 3/4"	16 5/8" x 16 5/8"

THE GRAIN IS PARALLEL TO THE FOLD, PERPENDICULAR TO THE SEAMS FOR THE CARD SLEEVE.

Tapered Drop Cut on Card Sleeves: The "leading edge" (on right when facing the side with seams) of the sleeve should be tapered. The drop should be 1/4" lower than if squared. The taper should begin 2.5" from the outer right edge ending 1/4" lower than if cut square. See diagram.

The gap between the fold of the seam flaps and the back sheet of the card sleeve should not be more than 1/8" on the inside. The polyester jacket should fit easily but not loosely over the sleeve, without any puckering, gaping or binding. The jackets should extend approximately 1/16 to 1/8" beyond the inserted sleeve.


Card Sleeve arrow indicates grain direction	Polyester Jacket

III. INSPECTION: Card Sleeves and Polyester Jackets for 10", 12" and 16" Audio Discs

An examination will be made to determine whether the items comply with the specifications. The qualities and characteristics which will be examined include the following.

Testing Inspection

Materials must pass all composition and performance specifications stated in "I. General Specifications."

Visual Inspection

Color must be tan, cream or buff or as specified on the purchase order or Contract.
Edges or creases of the card must not fray, crack, or split.
Surfaces must be free of fingerprints, dirt, knots, shives and other abrasive particles.
Adhesives must not soften or run, nor cause the stock to become transparent or alter the color of the stock. The adhesive must not yellow or discolor, fail (causing delamination), or extend beyond the joined area.
The card sleeves and polyester jackets must be cut straight with squared sides.
The jackets must fit easily but not loosely without any gaping, puckering or binding. The manufacturer must assure accuracy of sizes to ensure the parts fit well.
The sizes should be accurate, with no tolerance from required sizes. The edges should be smooth and even and should meet exactly.
The folds should be accurate and uniform.
The grain (machine direction) of the folder stock should run parallel to the fold.
The sleeves should be flat; there should be no planar distortion.
Identification should be stamped as specified I.B. on the seams of the card sleeves.
The Outer Wrapper must ensure arrival in dry, undamaged condition and be identified as specified.

FAILURE TO MEET ANY OF THE SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE CAUSE FOR REJECTION.

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