ISO 18947-2:2021

Overview - ISO 18947-2:2021 (Abrasion resistance, Part 2)

ISO 18947-2:2021 specifies standardized rub testing methods to determine the abrasion resistance of photographic prints and photo-grade imaging materials under typical indoor, mild abrasive conditions. It covers (quasi-)linear, reciprocating abrasion devices (e.g., Sutherland-type or equivalent) and focuses on use-cases such as page flipping in albums, careful manual handling, stacking, shifting, and attachment with magnets. Heavy-duty abrasive applications (floor graphics, vehicle graphics, abrasive cleaning) and non-photo-grade media are explicitly out of scope.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope of testing: Photographic images on photo‑grade media produced by silver halide, electrophotography, inkjet, dye-diffusion thermal transfer (dye sublimation), and dye transfer processes.
• Test devices: Use of (quasi-)linear, reciprocal rub testers; device description, setup and preparation are specified. Alternative devices and profiles are referenced in ISO 18947-1.
• Sample preparation: Definition of test targets, selection and conditioning of specimens and receptor materials (backing or reference papers).
• Test procedure: Controlled back-and-forth rubbing under specified load, stroke length and number of cycles (procedural details in the standard).
• Evaluation methods: Combination of instrumental measurements (e.g., gloss, density change) and visual evaluations to quantify abrasion, scuffing, smudging and material transfer to a receptor.
• Reporting: Prescribed test report elements to ensure repeatability and traceability (equipment, specimen description, receptor, environmental conditions and results).
• Terminology and metrics: Definitions for abrasion, scuff, smudge, receptor, quasi-linear motion, and related psychophysical scales used for visual assessment.

Practical applications

ISO 18947-2 helps manufacturers, test laboratories and end-users:

• Compare abrasion resistance across photo papers and films, inks/toners, and coating technologies.
• Develop and validate product durability claims for photo prints, albums, photobooks and mounted prints.
• Optimize print media selection for consumer photo products and archival handling procedures.
• Support quality control (QA) and R&D for printers, imaging labs and media suppliers.

Who should use this standard

• Print and photographic material manufacturers
• Independent testing laboratories and QA teams
• Printer OEMs and ink/formulation developers
• Photo lab operators, archivists and conservators specifying durability
• Procurement and compliance professionals setting product acceptance criteria

Related standards

• ISO 18947-1 (general considerations / device options)
• ISO 18055-1 (photo‑grade paper definitions)
• ISO 2813, ISO 8254-1 (gloss measurement)
• Other permanence standards in the ISO 189xx series (light, heat, ozone, humidity, scratch and water resistance)

Keywords: ISO 18947-2:2021, abrasion resistance, rub testing, photographic prints, photo-grade media, reciprocating abrasion, print durability, smudge, scuff, Sutherland tester.