ISO 9957-3-1997 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 9957-3:1997 — Fluid draughting media — Part 3: Water-based coloured draughting inks — Requirements and test conditions. Specifies performance criteria and test methods for water-based coloured inks intended for use in draughting instruments and for producing coloured technical drawings.

Abstract

This International Standard defines the requirements and associated test conditions for water-based coloured draughting inks used with drafting pens and similar instruments. It covers essential physical, chemical and performance characteristics (for example flow, drying, line quality, resistance properties and stability) and describes test procedures to verify compliance. The document is intended to ensure consistent quality and interoperability between inks, pens and drafting media.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed as current following systematic review).
• Publication date: 15 October 1997.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 01.100.40 (Drawing equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1997).
• Number of pages: 10.

Scope

ISO 9957-3:1997 applies to water-based coloured inks formulated for use in draughting instruments and intended to produce coloured technical drawings on drafting/tracing papers. The standard sets out the minimum performance and safety characteristics the inks must meet and defines the test conditions and methods to determine conformity. It is limited to water-based coloured draughting inks (i.e., not oil-based or pigment suspensions intended for other graphic arts applications).

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classification of water-based coloured draughting inks.
• Physical properties: viscosity, flow characteristics and filterability for smooth delivery through drafting pens.
• Line quality and sharpness: requirements to produce consistent, well-defined coloured lines without feathering or excessive bleed.
• Drying behaviour: specified drying times under defined conditions to avoid smearing during normal drafting use.
• Resistance properties: water resistance, smear resistance and rubbing resistance relevant to handling and layering.
• Lightfastness and ageing: criteria to assess colour stability and resistance to fading under normal indoor conditions or accelerated light exposure tests.
• Chemical properties: pH limits and preservative/biocide requirements to ensure shelf and in-use stability.
• Compatibility: test considerations for interaction with drafting instruments (pens, nibs, reservoirs) and common drafting papers/tracing films.
• Test methods and conditions: sample preparation, apparatus and step-by-step procedures for verifying the above properties.
• Marking, packaging and storage recommendations to preserve performance and enable traceability.

Typical use and users

Designed for manufacturers and suppliers of draughting inks and drafting instruments, test laboratories, quality managers in engineering and architectural offices, technical illustrators and organizations that maintain archival or documentary drawing standards. Typical use cases include specification and acceptance testing of coloured inks for manual technical drawing, quality control during production, and procurement requirements for drafting supplies.

Related standards

ISO 9957 is a multi-part series on fluid draughting media. Closely related documents include ISO 9957-1 (water‑based India ink) and ISO 9957-2 (water‑based non‑India ink); tracing paper and media requirements such as ISO 9961 are also relevant when assessing ink/paper compatibility. Other standards on drafting instruments, marking durability and pigment/lightfastness tests may be referenced when implementing or extending test programs.

Keywords

draughting, drafting ink, water-based ink, coloured ink, drawing equipment, ink requirements, test methods, line quality, lightfastness, water resistance, ISO 9957-3, tracing paper compatibility

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 9957-3:1997 is the International Standard that specifies requirements and test conditions for water-based coloured draughting inks used in manual technical drawing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the essential performance and chemical/physical properties of water-based coloured drafting inks and defines test methods for properties such as flow, drying time, line quality, resistance to water and smearing, lightfastness, compatibility with drafting instruments and storage/marking considerations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Ink and drafting-instrument manufacturers, product quality laboratories, procurement and specification teams in engineering and architectural practices, and specialists responsible for maintaining drawing/document standards and archival quality.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This edition was published on 15 October 1997 and was last reviewed and confirmed as current following ISO’s systematic review process (confirmed in 2021). Users should check with ISO or their national standards body for any more recent revisions or replacements before relying on the standard for procurement or certification.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO 9957 is a multi-part series covering fluid draughting media. Part 3 addresses water-based coloured draughting inks; other parts cover water-based India inks and water-based non-India inks, among related documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: draughting ink, water-based coloured ink, drafting instruments, line quality, drying time, lightfastness, water resistance, ISO 9957-3.