IPI :: Photographic Activity Test

Home > Products/Services > Testing Services > Photographic Activity Test (PAT)

Photographic activity test (pat)

The Photographic Activity Test, or PAT, is a worldwide standard (ISO Standard 18916) for archival quality in photographic enclosures. Developed by IPI, this test predicts possible interactions between photographic images and the enclosures in which they are stored. The PAT can also test the individual components of enclosures, such as adhesives, inks, paints, labels, and tapes. It is possible, as well, to test enclosures that are already in use in collections.

How the Test Is Done

The material to be tested is cut to size and stacked in a "sandwich," with special degradation detectors and various other materials. All of these materials are held together in a stainless-steel jig. A "control" sandwich is prepared using an inert material in place of the test sample. These sandwiches are then incubated in a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber at 70°C, 86% RH, to simulate aging.

If the detectors incubated with the test enclosures are more faded (or much less faded) or are more stained than those incubated with the controls, then the test material fails the PAT. Instruments are used to measure fading and staining. The pass/fail limits have been derived from enclosures that are known to have caused fading or staining in real-life storage situations. After incubation and sample evaluation, a final report is provided. Turnaround time for testing is approximately six weeks from the time samples are received.

Our Clients

The research team at IPI has tested well over 8,000 samples to date. Our clients range from manufacturers of archival photo storage materials, who are concerned about the long-term effect their products will have on their customers' collections, to caretakers of institutional collections, who need to know if the enclosures they are using are harming the photographic images in their trust.

How to Send Sample Materials for the PAT

NOTE: The PAT is a destructive test; sample materials cannot be returned.

We need approximately three 8" x 10" sheets of each enclosure material for testing. If your material does not come in sheet form, please contact IPI at ipiwww@rit.edu and ask for for quantity requirements. Materials should be shipped to:

RIT/IPI
Daniel Burge
Gannett Building, 07B-Rm 2000
70 Lomb Memorial Dr.
Rochester, NY 14623
585-475-5199

Please label each sample with a name or code that we can use as a reference in communicating our test results. This is important! Our test reports will refer only to your specific label. All test results are confidential. You alone will receive a copy of the report. You may, if you wish, make the information in the report available to the public.

Testing Prices

Routine PATs cost $750 (inclusive) for the first two materials evaluated; any additional materials in the same test run cost $200 each. There is a $750 minimum for all routine testing jobs. Prices for specialized tests vary; for an estimate, or if you have any other questions about the test, contact IPI at ipiwww@rit.edu.