Specifications
for Polyester: Poly(ethylene-terephthalate) Cut Sheets
Specification Number 500-551-8/20/02
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. Composition
-
Content:
Must be a clear, colorless, [biaxially oriented/stressed/drawn] poly(ethylene-terephthalate)
film such as DuPont Melinex® 516 or the equivalent.
- 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
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
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.
A. Construction, illustrated below
Sheets of poly(ethylene-terephthalate) should be cut to the required
dimensions.
B. Workmanship
- Edges should be straight and clean.
- Each item must be free of dents, dings, fingerprints, scratches,
abrasions, inclusions or other evidence of handling which would be
detrimental to performance.
C. Thickness
Unless otherwise specified on the Purchase Order or Section B of the
Contract, the thickness will be:
- 3 mil for sizes 20 x 24" or smaller
- 4 mil for sizes 22 x 28" or smaller
- 5 mil for larger sizes
D. 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.
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
- Construction
- Sheets of poly(ethylene-terephthalate) should be cut to the required
dimensions.
- Workmanship
- Edges should be straight.
- 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.
- Thickness
Unless otherwise specified on the Purchase Order or Section B of the
Contract, the thickness will be:
- 3 mil for sizes 20 x 24" or smaller
- 4 mil for sizes 22 x 28" or smaller
- 5 mil for larger sizes
- 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.