IPI PRICE LIST FOR TEST SERVICES

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IPI Tests For Photo-Storage Products

IPI provides a variety of testing services for companies that manufacture photo-storage products. We have been testing these products for over twenty years and have been active in the standards committees that developed and published many of the methods and specifications.

IPI strongly suggests that you purchase and read ISO Standard 18902: Imaging Materials—Processed photographic films, plates, and papers—Filing enclosures and storage containers, from www.iso.org. It will provide you with all the information and guidelines you need to ensure that your product is truly archival.

The Photographic Activity Test (PAT)

The PAT is the globally recognized, standardized test for determining the archival quality of photo-storage products. Developed by IPI, this test predicts potentially harmful interactions between photo-storage products and the photos they are meant to protect. The PAT is also used to test the components of enclosures, such as adhesives, inks, paints, labels, and tapes.

The research team at IPI has tested well over 8,000 samples to date. We have received samples from manufacturers of archival photo storage materials who are concerned about the long-term effect their products will have on their customers’ collections as well as from the caretakers of institutional collections who want to know about the potentially harmful effects their photo enclosures might have on the images in their trust.

sending samples

We need approximately three 8" x 10" sheets of each material to perform the PAT. If the product does not come in sheet form, please call IPI at 585-475-5931. Samples should be shipped to:

RIT/IPI Daniel Burge
Gannett Building, 07B-Rm 2000
70 Lomb Memorial Dr.
Rochester, NY 14623
585-475-5199

Please include a purchase order number as well as contact names, addresses, and phone numbers for receiving results and billing.

How the pat is Done

Samples of the product to be tested are stacked into a “sandwich,” along with special degradation detectors and various other materials necessary for the test. All of these materials are held together in a stainless steel jig.

A second “control” sandwich is prepared using a known inert material. Samples are then incubated for 15 days in a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber at 70°C, 86% RH. If the degradation detectors that have been incubated with the test product have faded or stained more than those incubated with the controls, then the product fails the test. Special instruments are used to measure fading and staining. The pass/fail limits have been derived from tests of photo-storage materials that were actually known to have caused fading or staining in real-life storage situations.

Test Results

The test results are returned to the client in the form of a certificate for each product. The certificate will state whether the materials passed or failed. If a product does fail, IPI may be able to provide some insight into why, or even suggest changes to improve the product’s quality. Clients are encouraged to call us with any concerns regarding test results.

View a sample PAT test report.

pH and Alkaline Reserve Tests

The pH Test

IPI tests photo-storage products for pH levels using the standardized test, TAPPI T 509: Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH) of paper extracts (cold extraction method). This test determines if a material is acidic, basic, or neutral with respect to pH. The process involves soaking a small sample of the product in distilled water and then comparing the sample’s pH to the initial pH of the water.

The Alkaline Reserve Test

IPI tests for alkaline reserve of paper by soaking a sample in water, in a manner similar to that for the pH test, and then measuring the amount of acid necessary to neutralize the alkaline buffering. This test determines the percent alkaline reserve of the paper. Alkaline reserves are added to paper and paperboards to neutralize acids that are created or absorbed as the paper deteriorates over time.

Sending Samples

For information on the amount of sample required for pH or alkaline reserve tests, please call IPI at 585-475-5931. Materials to be tested should be shipped to:

RIT/IPI Daniel Burge
Gannett Building, 07B-Rm 2000
70 Lomb Memorial Dr.
Rochester, NY 14623
585-475-5199

Please include a purchase order number as well as contact names, addresses, and phone numbers for receiving results and billing.

Test Results

The test results are returned to the client on IPI letterhead. Clients are encouraged to call us with any concerns regarding test results.

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It should be noted that the three tests described above—PAT, pH, and alkaline reserve—are destructive tests; sample materials cannot be returned. We ask that samples be named or coded so that we have a reference by which to communicate the test results. This is important. Our test reports will refer only to the customer's specific label. All test results are confidential. The customer alone will receive a copy of the reports. The customer may, if desired, make the information in the reports available to the public. Some of our customers do this.

Enclosures already in use in collections can be tested as well. Please call for sampling instructions for these materials.

IPI PRICE LIST FOR TEST SERVICES