Specifications for Photographic Storage Box
Specification Number 300-361-8/23/02
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:
40 pt. board: the minimum basis weight should be
550 lb./3,000 ft.2
- 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.
40 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 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.
B. 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.
C. Packaging
Wrapper:
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.
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 |
Range |
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: |
40 pt: 550 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: |
40 pt: 2,800 MD /800 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.
A. Construction, illustrated below
- The boxes should be constructed as illustrated below.
- The boxes should consist of one blank of 40 pt. board stock which
meets the specifications above.
- The boxes must be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear
during use.
- The grain of the board should be parallel to the long direction of
the box.
- A tab should be shaped on the bottom center of the outer front flap.
- The tab should be approximately 3 inches long, have rounded edges
and be easily inserted and removed from the slot.
- The tab should not be creased.
- The slot for the tab should be cut out of the outer front panel,
be a little over 3 inches long with rounded ends, be one and a half
inches from and parallel to the bottom edge of the front of box.
- The front panels (excluding the front flap panel) should be adhered
to each other except in the area adjacent to the slot, allowing easy
insertion of the tab.
- The adhesive should not extend beyond the adhered panels.
- The front panels should be cut away at the upper edge to allow access
to file folders stored inside. This rounded, circular cut-out should
begin one inch away from the side edges and slope down until it is
2 1/4" lower at the center than the full sized panel.
- The front flap should have rounded corners.
- The outer, lower corner of the doubled side of the box should be
rounded.
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.
C. Inner Dimensions
Dimensions will be specified on the purchase order or Contract. The
box must house standard letter-sized file folders without binding and
have the following inner dimensions.
Inner Dimensions
|
Length
|
Height
|
Width
|
Half Inch Box
|
10"
|
l/2"
|
12"
|
One Inch Box
|
10"
|
1"
|
12"
|
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
- Color must be tan, cream, buff or will be specified on the purchase
order or Contract
- Style must be as illustrated in specification
- Edges or creases of the board 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.
- Construction should be as illustrated and meet the following criteria:
- The boxes should consist of one blank of 40 pt. board stock which
meets the specifications
- Edges must be cut square and clean and sizes accurate
- No unnecessary cuts or scores
- Assembled parts should fit closely without binding
- Side edges should meet exactly and corners should be 90 degrees
- Boxes must not be warped and should lie flat.
- Boxes must be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear during
use
- The boxes must house standard letter-sized file folders without
binding.
- The grain of the board should be parallel to the long direction
of the box.
- The lids should have a secure, but not binding, fit.
- A tab should be shaped on the bottom center of the outer front
flap.
- The tab should be approximately 3 inches long, have rounded edges
and be easily inserted and removed from the slot.
- The tab should not be creased.
- The slot for the tab should be cut out of the outer front panel,
be a little over 3 inches long with rounded ends, be one and a half
inches from and parallel to the bottom edge of the front panel.
- The front panels (excluding the front flap panel) should be adhered
to each other except in the area adjacent to the slot, allowing easy
insertion of the tab.
- The adhesive should not extend beyond the adhered panels.
- The front panels should be cut away at the upper edge to allow
access to file folders stored inside. The rounded, circular cut-out
should begin one inch away from the side edges and slope down until
it is 2 1/4" lower at the center than the full sized panel.
- The front panel should have rounded corners.
- The outer, lower corner of the doubled side of the box should be
rounded.
- Inner Dimensions
Inner Dimensions
|
Length
|
Height
|
Width
|
Half Inch Box
|
10"
|
l/2"
|
12"
|
One Inch Box
|
10"
|
1"
|
12"
|
- Identification must be
- Centered on box
- Be no larger than 2.5 x 1.5"
- If stamped, black ink must not fade, smear, bleed, rub off; have
excess ink or penetrate to the interior
- 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 (±0.2)
- The Wrapper must be identified as specified and ensure arrival in
dry, undamaged condition.
FAILURE TO MEET ANY OF THE SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE CAUSE FOR REJECTION.