Hanatek Rub & Abrasion Tester (RT4)

  • Assess coating & substrate suitability
  • Test the rub resistance of printed material to BS3110
  • Optional test: solvent resistance/wet rub test
  • Optional test: scratch / abrasion testing

Industries and Applications

Description

The Hanatek Rub & Abrasion Tester (RT4) brings new levels of repeatability and convenience to testing the durability of inks and coatings on any printed material.

Designed by Hanatek to increase the efficiency and repeatability of rub proof testing, this comparative test works by abrading a printed sample against a reference material under known conditions.

The results can be used to identify alternative substrates, better ink and coating formulations for the suitability of finished cartons, films, printed books, magazines and promotional materials.

The Hanatek Rub & Abrasion Tester can be programmed for the required number of cycles, enabling it to be run concurrently with other laboratory tests.

Optional test attachments offer the ability to conduct tests under harsher conditions and can be used to check the solvent resistance or the cure of UV inks.

Benefits of using the Hanatek RT4

Applications

The Hanatek RT4 allows the user to compare the durability of printed cartons, commercial print or proofs of ink and varnish on a vast array of substrates across a wide range of applications.

  • Barcode Labels
  • Security Printing
  • Printing Inks
  • Holograms
  • Films
  • Paper
  • Magazines
  • Printed Cartons
  • Printed Packaging

Features

What is Durability and Abrasion Testing?

A laboratory rub proof tester is a tool for comparing the rubbing, scuffing and marking of inks and coatings on commercial print and packaging. It can be used as part of quality control in a production environment or an aid to development in the laboratory.

Protective packaging, magazines, commercial documents and promotional material are all printed with inks and coatings which are designed to remain clear, bright and undamaged during the items lifetime.

Unfortunately movement during packing, shipping or everyday handling can cause items to mark or scuff. The coatings and substrates used, the cure conditions and the amount of abrasion all effect the severity of this damage.

Method Of Operation

Method of operation

The instrument platen and test head are driven at an identical speed of 1 rev/sec. This creates a very even abrasion between the top surface and the entire area of the larger test sample.

An air hose blows away sample test debris to ensure no additional abrasion from loose ink particles affects the results.

After testing, the 2 samples are visually analysed. Pass/fail of each test is determined visually or by further analysis by using a densitometer, glossmeter or spectrophotometer.

Sample Preparation

  • Upper Sample: The 50mm diameter upper sample is typically cut from a sample of printed material. Select an area for testing; it is usual to test areas that are MOST likely to fail; these include any heavy ink build areas or spot colours.
  • Lower Sample: The lower sample is 115mm in diameter – This can either be another sample of the printed material or white paper to see clearly see the ink transference.

Typer of Tests/Pads

The instrument is supplied as standard with the foam measuring head and pad which is suitable for the face to face (printed surface to printed surface) method of testing described in BS3110 and also the printed surface to reference material such as Mellotex.

Alternative measuring heads/pads are available for conducting:

Abrasion Test

Scratch Pad – used for a more aggressive test useful for assessing through cure of UV coatings or high abrasion transit testing. Available as an optional extra.

rt4-operation-type-of-test-abrasion

rt4-accessories-additional-attachmen

Wet Rub Test

Felt Pad – used to test the water, detergent, solvent or fat resistance of inks and coatings. Available as an optional extra.

rt4-accessories-additional-attachmen

After every test, the abrasive or felt pad should be checked for damage or excessive coating build up and replaced if necessary.

The standard foam pads should both be inspected prior to testing. Damaged pads can lead to uneven pressure distribution across the sample, resulting in incorrect results.

rt4-accessories-pads

Accessories

Included accessories

  • Rub test sample template – 115mm
  • Rub test sample template – 50mm
  • Test weight for 1 psi
  • Test Weight for 2 psi (when combined with weight 1)
  • Standard rub test head
  • Bulls eye spirit level
  • Mains leads x 3 – EU/US/UK
  • DC power pack
  • Knife
  • Sample clamping ring
  • Calibration certificate for instrument, templates & weight
  • Spanner

RT4 Product and Accessories

Optional Accessories

rt4-accessories-printer

rt4-accessories-wet-head-pads

rt4-accessories-scratch-head-pads

Results printer

Simple reporting of results using the results printer can be attached to retained samples

Wet head

Wet head attachment plus pads

Scratch head

Scratch head attachment plus pads

Associated product: Universal Sample Cutter

The Universal Sample Cutter allows for faster and safer simultaneous cutting of 50mm and 115mm ø samples. Suitable for all types of sample thickness and medium to high volume testing.

Specifications

Free extended warranty

Free extended 2 year warranty: Requires registration at www.rhopointinstruments.com/help-services/forms-feedback/instrument-registration/ within 28 days of purchase. Without registration, 1 year standard warranty applies.

Calibration and service

Fast and economic service via our global network of accredited calibration and service centres. Please visit www.rhopointinstruments.com/help-services/calibration-servicing/ for detailed information.

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