ASTM D5383-16 PDF Download

For artists and art technologists to assess the lightfastness of art materials, they can use the ASTM D5383-16 standard. The ability of a substance to withstand fading or color change when exposed to light is known as lightfastness.

The standard recognizes that a lot of art supplies are created for transitory works of art and may include pigments and dyes that deteriorate over time. It highlights the fact that product labels and manufacturer documentation might not always contain enough details concerning the lightfastness of creative materials. As a result, this method enables an overall evaluation of lightfastness, but it also suggests using Test Methods D4303 if colorimetric instruments and suitable lightfastness testing equipment are available.

The procedure involves shining indoor examples of colorful art supplies into sunlight entering through a closed window. A card with eight Blue Wool References is also exposed during the exposure. When deciding when to remove the test specimens from exposure and rate them, these references are used as controls. Each test sample is given a number corresponding to the Blue Wool Reference that displays the same degree of color change.

The standard is explicit that this procedure cannot guarantee an art material's stability for more than fifty years in a home or office environment, but it can suggest if it will change color within a few months or years under normal indoor exposure. Additionally, it says that where Test Methods D4303 are not practical, the practice should be employed. It also mentions that the method is not appropriate for assessing products with a high oil content, such as alkyd paints, resin oils, or artists' oils.