Specifications
for Document Storage Boxes for the Storage of Artifacts
Specification Number 300-311-6/19/02
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
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 test according to TAPPI
T 266.
- Optical Brighteners: The stock must be free
of optical brightening agents.
- pH:
The stock should have a pH value within a range of 8.0 - 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 be a minimum of 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:
60 pt. board: the minimum basis weight should be 800 lb./3,000
ft2.
- 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:
The surfaces of the stock must be free of fingerprints, dirt, bubbles,
knots, shives and other abrasive particles.
- 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.
60 pt. board must have a minimum internal stiffness
of 5,600 Taber units in the machine direction and 2,500 in the cross
direction.
- Adhesive:
If an adhesive is required, it must not soften, run or 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.
B. Pull Cords for Full and Half Width Boxes
- Description:
The pull cords must be made of black nylon cord which is formed into
a loop by fastening the two free ends together with a metal clasp.
The dyes of the strings must show no bleeding when soaked in water
while held in contact with white bond paper for 48 hours.
- Attachment:
The pulls should extend out two inches from the edge of the right side
(proper left side) of the box. The pulls must be mechanically attached
(without the use of adhesive) to the box and when pulled, not come
out of the box or separate from itself. The pull should be secured
to the box by looping around a curly ended, U-shaped tab cut into
the right flap of the box floor, illustrated below.
- Evaluation/Testing Procedure:
The pull cords should not come apart when subjected to the following
test procedure. Use an Instron Tensile Tester with a 50 kilogram
load cell, with the jaws set 2 inches apart and the cross head and
chart speeds set at 10 inches per minute. Cut the pull cord in half
at the point opposite the metal clasp and mount the two loose ends
in the jaws of the tester. The cord must remain connected at the
metal clasp when subjected to a force of up to 8 kilograms.
C. Metal Edge Stays
- Description:
The metal edge stays should be made from a single unit of 0.0088 gauge
cold rolled steel coated on the exterior with chrome, lacquer or
baked enamel. The metal stays should be one inch wide and contain
a minimum of 8, 4-prong eyelets per 2 inch length.
- Color:
The metal edge stays should be chrome or colored so that they blend
with the box.
- Corner Joints:
All cut corner joints of the box should be joined with continuous,
tarnish proof, metal edge stays. The stays should stop 1/4 inch from
the end of the seam-cut at the top and bottom folded corners to avoid
the problem of the stays working loose. The prongs of the stays should
fully penetrate the box board so that they are visible on the inside
and be free of sharp, raised edges inside and outside.
D. Identification
- Information:
Each box should be identified by the name of the supplier or manufacturer,
year of manufacture and the actual pH.
- Placement and Size:
The identifying information must be embossed or stamped on each box
and not be larger than 2.5" long and 1.5" high. It should be centered
on the bottom of the box, legible from the outside.
- Embossing Method:
If embossed, it should be impressed from the outside of the box. The
impression should be legible from the outside only. There should
be no penetration to the inside of the box.
- Stamping Method:
If stamped, it must be done on the outside of the box. The ink must
be a black based ink which does not fade, smear, bleed, or rub off
after drying. The inked stamp impression must be neat without excess
ink and there must be no penetration to the interior of the box.
There must be no ink on the inside of the box from any source.
E. Packaging
- Containers:
The items must be packed in standard commercial containers which are
constructed to ensure that they arrive at the Library of Congress
in dry, undamaged condition.
I.D.: The outside of each container must be identified
by type, size and number of items within, manufacturing run or batch
number and Purchase Order number or Contract number.
F. 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 |
60 pt: 800 lbs./3,000 ft2 |
TAPPI 410 om-93 |
Color Bleeding |
none |
See above, "I. A. 6. Color" |
Color Retention |
< 5 points |
TAPPI T 452 om-87 |
Abrasion |
< 2% |
TAPPI 476 om-84 |
Stiffness |
60 pt: 5,600 MD/2,500 CD Taber units |
TAPPI 489 om-86 |
G. 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.
A. Construction, illustrated below
- The boxes should be constructed as illustrated below
- The boxes should consist of one blank of 60 pt. board stock which
meets the specifications above
- The side walls of the box base should be doubled either half way
up or the full length
- The floor of the base should be reinforced with flaps which do not
bind when pressed into place
- The floor flaps should meet, but not overlap
- Cut-out holes are not acceptable on the box sides
- Metal pulls are not acceptable
- Cord pulls are inserted in the right side (proper left) of full width
boxes and half width boxes
- Metal edge stays should secure the box corners as indicated above
and illustrated below
- The boxes must be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear
during use
- The lid must be able to withstand repeated opening without cracking,
splitting, fraying or otherwise losing strength along the hinge
B. Workmanship
All boxes must show good workmanship. They should be clean, free from frayed
or torn edges, improperly aligned panels or interior trays, and unnecessary
scores or cuts. All dimensions of the box maker's blank should be accurately
cut, scored and slotted so that the assembled parts fit closely without
binding. Lids should remain shut when closed, but not bind. Edges must
be straight, side edges must meet exactly, and corners must be 90 degrees.
The boxes must be able to stand level without support. The full width boxes
must be able to stand level with the lid open.
C. Inner Dimensions
Dimensions follow standard letter and legal sizes plus 1/2 inch, unless
otherwise specified on the purchase order. Standard letter and legal
size folders must fit without binding within the box. The lid
must overlap the front wall by at least one inch.
Inner Dimensions |
Length |
Height |
Width |
Front Wall Height |
Letter Size |
12 1/4" |
10 1/4" |
5" |
6" |
Legal Size |
15 1/4" |
10 1/4" |
5" |
6" |
Oversize Legal |
15 1/2" |
12 1/2" |
5" |
8.5" |
Special |
15 1/4" |
10 1/4" |
4 3/4" |
6" |
Half Width |
|
|
2 1/2" |
6" |
An examination will be made to determine whether the items comply with
all requirements. 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
- Materials must meet all requirements in II. Product Requirements
- Color must be tan, cream, buff or gray or as specified
on the purchase order or Contract
- Edges or creases of the card must not fray, crack,
or split
- Edges must be cut square and clean and sizes accurate
- 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.
-
Construction should meet the following criteria:
- Edges must be cut square and clean and sizes accurate
- Panels or interior trays should be aligned properly with the lid
- The side walls of the box base should be doubled at least half-way
or full length
- No unnecessary cuts or scores
- Assembled parts should fit closely without binding
- Lids should remain shut when closed, but not bind
- Side edges should meet exactly and corners should be 90 degrees
- Boxes must not be warped
- Boxes should be able to stand level without support with the lid
open, (except half width)
- Boxes must be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear during
use
- No cut-out holes on the side panels are acceptable
Inner Dimensions |
Length |
Height |
Width |
Front Wall Height |
Letter Size |
12 1/4" |
10 1/4" |
5" |
6" |
Legal Size |
15 1/4" |
10 1/4" |
5" |
6" |
Oversize Legal |
15 1/2" |
12 1/2" |
5" |
8.5" |
Special |
15 1/4" |
10 1/4" |
4 3/4" |
6" |
Half Width |
|
|
2 1/2" |
6" |
- Pull Cord must be inserted in the right side (proper
left) under the curly U-shaped tab on the floor flap of the box and
securely joined with metal clasp. This does not apply to half width
boxes.
- Metal Edge Stays
- One inch wide
- Securely attached all along the length and penetrate the board
- The stays should stop 1/4 inch from the end of the seam-cut at
the top and bottom folded corners
- Not have sharp, raised edges inside or outside
- Color should be chrome or blend with the box
- Identification must be
- Centered on bottom of box
- Be no larger than 2.5 x 1.5"
- If stamped, the black ink must not fade, smear, bleed, rub off;
have excess ink or interior penetration
- If embossed, the impression must not penetrate to the inside of
the box
- Identification information must include
- Name of supplier or manufacturer
- Year of manufacturer
- Actual pH
- The Packaging must be identified as specified and
ensure arrival in dry, undamaged condition.
FAILURE TO MEET ANY OF THE SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE CAUSE FOR
REJECTION.