ISO 10602-1995 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10602:1995 — Photography — Processed silver-gelatin type black-and-white film — Specifications for stability. This International Standard established stability, safety and image‑stability requirements and test methods for processed silver‑gelatin black‑and‑white films intended for the long‑term storage of records (safety cellulose‑ester or polyester bases, negative or reversal processing).

Abstract

Specifies requirements for processed silver‑gelatin black‑and‑white films used for record storage, including limits on residual fixing agents (thiosulfate), requirements for film bases (cellulose ester or polyester), tensile and adhesion properties, and image‑stability criteria (with life‑expectancy LE ratings). Test methods to verify these requirements are included. The standard applied to films processed by conventional or monobath (thiosulfate) fixing and to films stabilized by conversion to silver sulfide/selenide or gold.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn.
• Publication date: 1995 (second edition published January/February 1995).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 37.040.20 (photographic paper, films and plates).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (1995).
• Number of pages: Recorded as 18 pages on the ISO catalogue; national/adopted publications may show different page counts (e.g., 24–26 pages in some national reprints).

Scope

Covers processed silver‑gelatin type black‑and‑white films intended for preservation of records. Applies to films with safety cellulose‑ester or polyester bases, processed to produce a silver image (negative or full‑reversal), including films processed in monobath thiosulfate fixers and films given stabilizing treatments (partial/full conversion to silver sulfide/selenide or gold). Excludes chromogenic black‑and‑white films, colour films, films with magnetic tracks or films processed by non‑thiosulfate dry/thermal processes.

Key topics and requirements

• Life‑expectancy (LE) ratings for image permanence (LE‑10, LE‑100, LE‑500) and associated performance limits.
• Limits for residual thiosulfate (residual hypo) by film type and LE rating to reduce image fade and chemical deterioration.
• Requirements for film base materials (safety cellulose‑ester or polyester) including identification and dimensional/tensile properties.
• Requirements for processed film layers (emulsion and backing): adhesion, blocking, emulsion flow and residual silver compounds.
• Image‑stability criteria and tests for radiographic films, microfilms and other archival films (incubation, density difference, tint evaluation, densitometric tests).
• Specified test methods for measuring residual chemicals, mechanical properties and accelerated ageing to verify stability.

Typical use and users

Used by film manufacturers, archives, libraries, government record offices, banks, insurance companies, imaging laboratories and conservation professionals to specify and verify stability/permanence of black‑and‑white film records and to set processing quality requirements for long‑term storage.

Related standards

ISO 10602:1995 was later revised within ISO’s imaging‑materials series and superseded by standards in the ISO 18900‑18999 block. In particular, ISO 18901 (first published 2002, revised 2010) carries forward/specifies imaging‑material stability requirements that replaced ISO 10602. National adoptions and BSI/EN versions also exist for the same subject.

Keywords

photography; silver‑gelatin; black‑and‑white film; archival film; film stability; residual thiosulfate; life expectancy (LE); safety film; polyester base; cellulose‑ester; image permanence; ISO 10602.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10602:1995 is an International Standard that set specifications and test methods for the stability and processing quality of processed silver‑gelatin black‑and‑white photographic films used for long‑term record storage.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers film base requirements, residual fixing agent (thiosulfate) limits, tensile and adhesion properties, image‑stability requirements (LE ratings) and associated test methods for processed silver‑gelatin black‑and‑white films (safety cellulose‑ester or polyester bases). It excludes chromogenic, colour or magnetic track films and non‑thiosulfate dry/thermal processed films.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Film manufacturers, processing laboratories, archives, libraries, government and commercial record‑keeping organizations, conservators and anyone specifying or verifying permanence/stability of black‑and‑white film records.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10602:1995 has been withdrawn and its subject matter was incorporated into the ISO 18900 series (ISO 18901 first published 2002, with later revisions). Users should refer to the ISO 18901 editions for the current imaging‑materials stability requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — the content was brought into the ISO 18900–18999 block (imaging materials and imaging‑stability standards). ISO 18901 specifically continues the scope of ISO 10602; other related ISO 189xx standards cover storage enclosures, handling, and other imaging‑material properties.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Silver‑gelatin, archival film, residual thiosulfate, LE life‑expectancy, film base (polyester, cellulose‑ester), image stability, test methods, ISO 10602, ISO 18901.