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Specifications for Polyester Poly(ethylene-terephthalate) One-Side Sealed Folders: Seal on Long Side

Specification Number 500-511-6/19/02

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.

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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 adsorbents and be guaranteed to be non-yellowing with natural aging. As received, the film must not contain any coloring agents.

B. Identification

There should be no identification marks on the film.

C. Packaging

1. Inner Wrapper:
   The polyester sheets must be carefully and securely packaged in 100 units or less per package.
   I.D.: Each package must be identified by product type, thickness, size and number of items within.
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 product type, thickness, size and number of items in the carton, and Purchase Order or Contract number.

D. Testing

1. 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.
2. 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.

E. 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: Poly(ethylene-terephthalate) One-Side Sealed Folders: Seal on Long Side

A. Construction, illustrated below

• Two sheets of poly(ethylene-terephthalate) of the same size should be sealed along one long side.

B. Seals

• Seals will be done by edge welding unless otherwise specified on the order. Other methods will be considered if samples are sent for evaluation.
• All seals should be complete, clear and continuous.
• All seals should not be mottled, crystallized, bubbled, brittle or burned.
• Sealed edges should withstand moderate handling. This will be evaluated by three methods:
  1. By pulling the seal between two fingernails at a 45° angle. If the seal cracks, it is unacceptable.
  2. By running a finger along the inside of the seal.
  3. By pulling slightly at the beginning of the cut end of a sealed edge.
• Each item must be free of planar distortions or capillary marks ("caterpillar tracks") or other indications of poor seals on all edges.

C. Workmanship

• Edges should be straight and meet exactly.
• Corners should be 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.

D. Thickness

• Unless otherwise specified on the Purchase Order or Section B of the Contract, the thickness will be:
  1. 3 mil for sizes 20 x 24" or smaller
  2. 4 mil for sizes 22 x 28" or smaller
  3. 5 mil for larger sizes

E. Dimensions

• Specific dimensions will be given in the Purchase Order or Section B of the Contract.
• Tolerance must not exceed ± 1/16" for total height and width unless otherwise specified.

III. INSPECTION: Poly(ethylene-terephthalate) One-Side Sealed Folders: Seal on Long Side

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

1. Construction
   • Two sheets of poly(ethylene-terephthalate) of the same size should be sealed along one long side.
2. Seals
   • Seals will be done by edge welding unless otherwise specified on the order. Other methods will be considered if samples are sent for evaluation.
   • All seals should be complete, clear and continuous.
   • All seals should not be mottled, crystallized, bubbled, brittle or burned.
   • Sealed edges should withstand moderate handling. This will be evaluated by three methods:
     1. By pulling the seal between two fingernails at a 45° angle. If the seal cracks, it is unacceptable.
     2. By running a finger along the inside of the seal.
     3. By pulling slightly at the beginning of the cut end of a sealed edge.
   • Each item must be free of planar distortions or capillary marks ("caterpillar tracks") or other indications of poor seals on all edges.
3. Workmanship
   • Edges should be straight and meet exactly.
   • Corners should be 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.
4. Thickness
   • Unless otherwise specified on the Purchase Order or Section B of the Contract, the thickness will be:
     1. 3 mil for sizes 20 x 24" or smaller
     2. 4 mil for sizes 22 x 28" or smaller
     3. 5 mil for larger sizes
5. Tolerance
   • Tolerance must not exceed ± 1/16" for total height and width unless otherwise specified.

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