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Specifications for Polyester: Poly(ethylene-terephthalate)

Specification Number 500-500-7/24/02

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

A. Composition

  1. Content:
    Must be a clear, colorless, [biaxially oriented/stressed/drawn] poly(ethylene-terephthalate) film such as DuPont Melinex® 516 or the equivalent.
  2. Impurities:
    The clear and colorless polyester film must not contain any plasticizer, surface coatings, UV inhibitors, or absorbents and be guaranteed to be non-yellowing with natural aging. As received, the film must not contain any coloring agents.

B. Identification

There must be no identification marks on the film.

C. Packaging

  1. Inner Wrapper:
    The polyester, if cut, must be carefully and securely packaged in 100 units or less per package.
  2. Outer 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 the carton which contains the packages should be labeled with thickness, size and number of items in the carton, and Purchase Order or RFP number.

D. Workmanship

If cut, edges must be clean, straight, and corners 90 degrees. Each item must be free of dents, dings, fingerprints, scratches, abrasions, inclusions or other evidence of handling which would be detrimental to performance.

E. Testing

  1. Responsibility:
    The supplier is responsible for meeting all the requirements specified herein. The Library of Congress has the right to perform tests necessary to verify the requirements.
  2. Sampling:
    To sample for testing, shipments will be sampled according to MIL-STD-105E at inspection level S-2 with an acceptable 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, Pennsylvania, 19111-5094.

F. Quality Assurance Inspection

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: Specifications for Polyester: Poly(ethylene-terephthalate)

There are no additional product requirements for this generic specification.

III. INSPECTION: Specifications for Polyester: Poly(ethylene-terephthalate):

An examination will be made to determine if the items comply with this specification.

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