Overview
ISO 1859:1973 specifies the general dimensional requirements for unrecorded magnetic tapes used in interchange instrumentation applications. The standard defines the tape materials, winding orientation, core and reel dimensions, and limits on thickness and winding clearance to ensure reliable physical interchange of measurement recordings between instruments and suppliers.
Key topics and requirements
- Tape construction
- Tape must be a continuous, splice-free support coated on one face with a durable ferromagnetic layer.
- Support must be flexible and made of a suitable ferromagnetic-resistant backing material.
- Winding orientation
- The tape is required to be wound with the coated (magnetic) side inward.
- Dimensional limits
- Maximum total thickness (support + coating) must not exceed 0.055 mm (0.0022 in).
- Minimum radial clearance value E (distance between the outer radius of the wound tape and the reel flange) is 2.5 mm (0.10 in).
- Tape widths and minimum lengths per reel are standardized (see Table 1 in the standard); metric nominal lengths are conversions of original foot-based values.
- Reel and core specifications
- The standard references common precision reel sizes (examples in the text: 203 mm/8 in, 266 mm/10.5 in, 356 mm/14 in, 381 mm/15 in, 406 mm/16 in) and refers to precision core and reel definitions for compatibility.
- A 76 mm (3 in) core/bore is indicated as a standard; smaller 8 mm (5/16 in) bores are noted as under study.
- Testing and physical properties
- Physical properties and test methods are covered by ISO 2690 (referenced by ISO 1859).
Practical applications
- Ensures physical interchangeability of blank magnetic tapes used for recording instrumentation data (e.g., laboratory measurement systems, test equipment and data loggers).
- Used by magnetic tape manufacturers, instrumentation hardware designers, quality assurance and procurement teams, and archives/labs that exchange raw measurement recordings between systems or organizations.
- Helps avoid mechanical incompatibilities (incorrect reel fit, excess thickness, insufficient winding clearance) that can cause tape damage or recording errors during interchange.
Related standards
- ISO/R 1858 - cores and reels for general use (referenced)
- ISO/R 1860 - precision reels for magnetic tape (referenced)
- ISO 2690 - blank magnetic tapes for measurement recording - physical properties and test methods (referenced)
Keywords: ISO 1859:1973, unrecorded magnetic tapes, magnetic tape dimensions, interchange instrumentation, tape wind, tape thickness, reel sizes, ISO 2690.
