About the Photographic Activity Test
The Photographic Activity Test (PAT) is a worldwide standard (ISO Standard 18916) for archival quality in photographic enclosures. Developed by IPI ( Image Permanence Institute), this test predicts possible interactions between photographic images and the enclosures in which they are stored.
The PAT is also used to test the components of enclosures, such as adhesives, inks, paints, labels, and tapes. The test involves incubating materials in temperature- and humidity-controlled chambers to simulate aging and takes from four to six weeks. After incubation and sample evaluation, a final report is provided.It is the subject of International Standards Organization standard 18916 subsection (E) Photography-Processed photographic materials-photographic activity test for enclosure materials
How is the PAT performed?
Samples of the enclosure material 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 good enclosure material.
Samples are then incubated for 15 days in a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber at 70 deg. C, 86% RH. If the detectors that have been incubated with the test enclosures are more faded or much less faded or are more stained than those incubated with the controls, then the enclosure material fails the test.
Instruments are used to measure fading and staining. The pass/fail limits have been derived from enclosures that are known to have caused fading or staining in real-life storage situations.
Print File Archival Preservers PAT Test Results
Independent laboratory tests prove that Print File archival storage pages provide safe, long-term protection for negatives, transparencies and prints.
Print File uses a specially formulated polyethylene and polypropylene so that their products provide maximum long term protection for delicate photographic emulsions. Print File’s archival preservers are acid free (pH Neutral) and contain none of the plasticizers, catalysts or solvents found in PVC.
| Laboratory Test | Results |
|---|---|
| Photographic Activity Test*(ANSI IT9.16-1993) | Passed |
| pH | Neutral |
| Hydrogen Ion | None Detected |
| Chloride | None Detected |
| Peroxide | None Detected |
| Residual Catalysts | None Detected |
| Free Acids | None Detected |
| Ultraviolet Degradation | None Detected |
| Migration | None Detected |
| Image Transfer | None Detected |
| Optical Contact Clarity | Yes |
