Overview
ISO 3783:2006 specifies an accelerated speed method for measuring the surface strength of paper and board by simulating printing conditions using an IGT-type tester (electric model). The method determines pick velocity and pick resistance for coated and uncoated papers, and delamination resistance for liners on paperboard. Tests use pick‑test oils of known viscosity at a reference temperature (23 °C) and progressively increasing printing velocity to find the point where surface damage (“picking”) or delamination begins. Note: the method tests a limited area and normally will not detect isolated local imperfections.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Measured properties
- Pick velocity (νp) - the velocity where pick begins under defined conditions.
- Pick resistance P(23°C) - pick onset velocity normalized to a pick-test oil temperature of 23 °C.
- Delamination velocity (νd) and delamination resistance D(23°C) for liner lifting on board.
- Apparatus
- Inking device with inking drums and aluminium printing discs (IGT-type accessories).
- Printing device capable of a uniformly increasing velocity over a 200 mm print stroke; controlled printing force.
- Evaluation devices such as a pick‑start viewer (grazing light) and a delamination viewer for board.
- Materials and handling
- Use of pick-test oils (polyisobutenes) of known viscosity; conditioning of paper, oil and equipment at standard atmosphere (23 ±1 °C, 50 ±2 % RH) per ISO 187.
- Sampling per ISO 186; sample sizes and orientation noted to ensure representativeness.
- Procedure elements
- Calibration of velocity and force, controlled oil application, test-strip preparation and visual assessment (with pick‑start viewer to reduce variability).
- Reporting
- Results expressed as pick velocity/pick resistance and delamination metrics; test conditions, oil viscosity and calibration state must be reported.
Applications and users
ISO 3783:2006 is used to:
- Assess print run reliability and surface strength for substrates intended for lithographic offset, letterpress, and increasingly flexographic printing where inks can have high tack and viscosity.
- Control coating and finishing processes, select suitable stocks for high‑tack inks, and investigate printing defects related to surface failure.
Primary users:
- Paper and board manufacturers, converters and coaters
- Print buyers and commercial printers (offset, letterpress, flexo)
- Independent testing laboratories and quality assurance teams
- R&D groups developing coatings, inks and substrate treatments
Related standards
- ISO 186 - Sampling to determine average quality (paper and board)
- ISO 187 - Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing
Keywords: ISO 3783:2006, pick resistance, pick velocity, IGT-type tester, paper and board testing, delamination resistance, pick-test oils, printing simulation.
