Standard Specification for Copies from Office Copying Machines for Permanent Records (Withdrawn 2010)

This specification covers copies from office copying machines where the copied material is expected to have maximum or substantial life expectancy. The procurement process for obtaining paper that will have the proper life expectancy for the intended purpose is described. A procedure for estimating the durability of the image on copy from an office copying machine is also discussed. Three types of papers for use in office copying machines are described, according to life expectancy level. These life expectancy levels are differentiated by pH and type of filler or sizing, or both. For situations where the copies will be handled frequently, the grade is described as “high referral.” A higher tearing resistance is specified for this category, a folding endurance requirement is optional, and all or part cotton or linen may be specified. The following types are: Type I with maximum life expectancy (LE-1000), Type II with high life expectancy (LE-100), and Type III with medium life expectancy (LE-50). Each type is subdivided into Grade 1 for ordinary use and Grade 2 described as high referral. The following physical properties of paper shall be determined: grammage, thickness, internal tearing resistance, directional reflectance or brightness, opacity, folding endurance, and color. As no test methods are available for measuring how well the image adheres to the paper, the following improvisation shall be performed: use of an optical scanner or a densitometer after abrasion, use of an adhesive tape to remove poorly adhering image, a finger rubbing test, and a pencil eraser test.