Making Our Mark: IIA’s Ink Testing Meets Strict Military Standards & More
When preparing and perfecting products for the market, quality-conscious manufacturers must consider every detail to ensure the product functions as designed. Even the inks and paints used to identify and label a part, component, product, or container must be up to the task.
For example, if the ink used by the military is too glossy, it could draw unwanted attention and put troops at greater risk. Likewise, markings on an aircraft component must remain secure and legible after exposure to heat, rain, light and vibration.
Ink testing helps manufacturers confirm that an ink or paint is durable and reliable when subjected to the conditions in which it will be used — and it’s one of our specialties at Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA).
Why Ink Testing Matters
Ink testing answers critical questions such as:
- Does the ink adhere properly to the surface?
- Does abrasion or wear compromise the condition of the ink?
- Does the ink fade when subjected to UV light and outdoor conditions?
- Does the ink withstand exposure to chemicals such as cleaners or fuels?
Ink testing is especially critical in industries such as aerospace and defense, where the risks are high and environmental conditions may be harsh. Testing helps to ensure a paint or ink remains legible and secure after exposure to extreme temperatures or humidity, light, vibration, sand or dust, or long-term storage.
IIA’s Ink Testing Capabilities
Thousands of ink testing standards and specifications exist across industries — each containing numerous steps. Therefore, testing protocols and equipment vary widely by project and industry. For example, on one occasion, IIA’s St. Louis Lab performed testing on a three-part epoxy paint for maritime use in an arctic environment. The specification required more than 80 individual tests and took months to complete.
IIA performs environmental testing that conforms to U.S. Department of Defense Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs) for assessing the appearance, adhesion and durability of markings (inks, paints, markers, etc.) used on military hardware, packaging and components, including A-A-208, A-A-59383, and A-A-56032D. Past projects include testing paints and inks used on various types of ammunition containers, storage tubes, and the ammunition itself.
Our testing capabilities include:
- Contrast Ratio
- Gloss
- Density
- Percentage of Solvents, Solids, etc.
- Resistance to Weathering
- Resistance to Water
- Resistance to Rubbing & Abrasion
- Resistance to Other Conditions or Chemicals
Beyond military applications, ink testing is important in a wide range of industries, from maritime to residential housing to toy manufacturing.
Customers in any industry may require compliance documentation (certificates of conformance, etc.) proving that ink testing has been performed and that results met specifications. For example, sellers of toys and other children’s products on Amazon.com may be asked to provide ink testing.
Why Choose IIA?
IIA’s elite, ISO-accredited test lab in St. Louis, Missouri, offers a depth of knowledge, experience, and skill that you won’t find in the average analytical lab. Beyond military standards, our Environmental Testing team will research and strictly adhere to all standards and specifications that apply to products in any industry. IIA labs are equipped with a wide array of tools and technologies; and we are willing to acquire new equipment as needed to accommodate specific, ongoing testing needs. Our team is committed to customer satisfaction, and we are not afraid to take on jobs that other labs have turned down.
