Specifications
for Paper Envelopes for the Storage of Artifacts
Specification Number 100-141-7/3/02
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 paper 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 paper stock should have a pH of 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 a 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.
- Photographic Activity Test:
The paper stock must pass the Photographic Activity Test (P.A.T.).
Tests to be conducted and results reported as described in ISO 14523-1999
or latest version. Tests should be performed by Image Permanence Institute
(c/o Rochester Institute of Technology, Frank E. Gannett Memorial
Building, P.O. Box 9887, Rochester, NY 14623-0887. Tel.: 716-475-5199,
FAX: 716-475-7230) or other pre-approved laboratory.
- Folding Endurance:
The paper stock must meet the minimum requirement of 75 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 paper should be buff, cream, tan or as specified on the
purchase order.
- 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.
- Retention: The color of the stock on both
sides 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.
- Thickness:
Typical thickness will be 0.006 ± 0.001" unless otherwise specified
on the purchase order.
- Adhesives:
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. The adhesive should have no
harmful effects on the photographic silver image or cause staining
of the photographic emulsion. The adhesive should not contain sulfur,
iron, copper or other ingredients that may be detrimental. Pressure
sensitive, rubber-based, or either linked adhesives are unacceptable.
The adhesives should not contain or generate oxidants. Adhesives should
pass the Photographic Activity Test and meet the requirements of ISO
14523-1999, or latest revision. The adhesive should not extend
past the seam on either the inside or outside of the enclosure.
B. Workmanship
All enclosures must show good workmanship, edges must be straight,
side edges must meet exactly, and corners must be 90 degrees. The enclosures
must be clean and free of dirt, marks, stains, surface or edge damage,
or other imperfections or contaminants which would affect its utility
or appearance.
C. Identification
- Information:
Each enclosure must be individually stamped on the outside, on a seam
flap, with the name of the supplier or manufacturer, year of manufacturer,
the actual pH and "P.A.T." using a 10 point type size.
- Ink:
The inked areas of the enclosure should pass the Photographic Activity
Test as described in ISO 14523-1999 or latest version. The ink must
not smear, bleed, fade, 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 envelope. There must be no ink on the inside
of the envelopes from any source.
D. Packaging
- Inner Wrapper:
I.D.: Each package must be 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, actual pH
(± 0.2 pH) and "P.A.T.".
- Outer Wrapper:
The items must be packed in standard commercial containers constructed
to ensure that the paper arrives 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, Purchase Order or Contract number and "P.A.T.".
E. 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 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.
- 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 addresses:
- 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 |
Photographic Activity Test |
pass |
ISO 14523-1999 or latest version |
Folding Endurance |
75 MD |
TAPPI T 511 om-88, and TAPPI T 402 om-88 |
Color Bleeding |
none |
See above, "I. 7. Color" |
Color Retention |
< 5 points |
TAPPI T 452 om-92 |
Thickness |
0.006±0.001 inches |
F. 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 for all enclosures, illustrated below
- The envelopes are constructed from a single piece of paper with
seams of folded flaps of paper adhered to the outside.
- The seams may be at the bottom and the center or at the two long
sides as specified on the order.
- The bottom or side seam flaps should be a minimum of one inch wide
and adhered on the outside.
- If a center seam is used, the overlap should be a minimum of 1/2".
- The seams should be smooth and flat with no puckering.
- The seams should be sealed along the complete length of the seam
by an adhesive which is at least 1/8" away from the fold edge. If
two side seams are used, they should be sealed as close to the cut
edge of the flap as possible without adhesive extending beyond the
flap.
- There must be no adhesive which extends beyond a seam flap on the
inside or the outside of the envelope.
- The gap between the fold of the bottom or side seam flaps and the
back of the envelope should not be more than 1/16" on the inside.
- The back side (seamed side) of the envelope should be cut away so
that it gradually tapers until the middle is 3/8" lower than the fold
for the top flap.
- There should be no thumb cuts.
- The top flap should be a minimum of two inches and have no adhesive
applied to it.
- Corners of all flaps and seams (illustrated below) should be rounded.
B. Dimensions
Dimensions will be specified on the purchase order.
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Side seams
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Center seam
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Side seam detail
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III. INSPECTION: Paper
Envelopes for the Storage of Artifacts
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 white, off white or otherwise specified.
- Edges must be straight, side edges meet exactly and corners 90
degrees.
- Sizes should be accurate.
- Identifying information should be stamped, without smearing, on
a seam flap and include the name of the supplier or manufacturer,
year of manufacturer, actual pH and "P.A.T." using a small type size.
- The ink should not smear, bleed, fade or rub off after drying.
- Construction for all enclosures
- The enclosures are constructed from a single piece of paper
which is sealed by seams of folded flaps of paper adhered to the
outside.
- The seams may be at the bottom and the center or at the two
long sides as specified on the order.
- The bottom or side seam flaps should be a minimum of one inch
wide and adhered on the outside.
- If a center seam is used, the overlap should be a minimum of
1/2".
- The seams should be smooth and flat with no puckering.
- The seams should be sealed along the complete length of the
seam by an adhesive which is at least 1/8" away from the fold
edge. If two side seams are used, they should be sealed as close
to the cut edge of the flap as possible without adhesive extending
beyond the flap.
- There must be no adhesive which extends beyond a seam flap on
the inside or the outside of the envelope.
- The gap between the fold of the bottom or side seam flaps and
the back of the envelope should not be more than 1/16" on the
inside.
- The back side (seamed side) of the envelope should be cut away
so that it gradually tapers until the middle is 3/8" lower than
the fold for the top flap.
- There should be no thumb cuts.
- The top flap should be a minimum of two inches and have no adhesive
applied to it.
- Corners of all flaps and seams (illustrated below) should be
rounded.
- The Inner Wrapper must be according to the size and identified as
specified.
- The Outer Wrapper must ensure arrival in dry, undamaged condition.
FAILURE TO MEET ANY OF THE SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE CAUSE FOR
REJECTION.