About the Photographic Activity Test

The Photographic Activity Test (PAT) was developed by the Image Permanence Institute of the USA to test the quality of photographic storage materials. It is the subject of International Standards Organisation standard ISO 18916:2007 Imaging materials – Processed imaging materials – Photographic activity test for enclosure materials.

The previous standard ISO 14523:1999 describes the test as a 'predictive test of interactions between storage enclosure[s] and photographic image[s]. It can also be used to evaluate possible photographic activity caused by components of enclosures such as adhesives, inks, paints, labels, and tape.'

Put simply, the test indicates whether a material is likely to damage photographs, negatives, slides, motion picture films, etc. The test looks for chemical interactions that manifest as discolourations of photographic material. If a product fails the test, it should not be allowed near photographic materials.

To carry out the PAT samples of the enclosure material to be tested are stacked into a 'sandwich' held in a stainless steel jig. A second control sandwich is prepared using a known good enclosure material. Samples are then incubated in a temperature and humidity-controlled chamber at 70°C, 86% RH. If after 15 days the detectors incubated with the test enclosures are either more faded, much less faded or are more stained than those incubated with the controls, the enclosure material fails the test. Fading and staining are measured using a high quality photographic densitometer. The pass/fail limits are derived from enclosures that actually cause fading or staining in real-life storage situations.

Regardless of claims made by manufacturers or suppliers about the archival quality of their products, do not assume that these products have been subjected to a PAT or that they have passed the test. The PAT is quite separate from, and additional to, normal notions of archival quality.

Products bearing the National Archives Archival Quality trademark are exceptions to this rule. These products have passed the PAT.

The National Archives of Australia is committed to ensuring the quality of products used for storing archival materials. As part of this commitment the Archives will test any product submitted by a user or manufacturer which is designed to store archival photographic material safely.

Products that have already been subjected to a PAT are listed in the table below . More products will be added as they are tested.

For additional information about the PAT used by the National Archives, please contact the Preservation section on (02) 6212 3424 or email recordkeeping@naa.gov.au.

For further information on the Photographic Activity Test itself, contact:

Image Permanence Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
70 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623-5604
USA
Website: www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org

Please note:

The test results reported here are intended for general information and do not imply an endorsement or rejection of any product cited. Professional advice should be sought before applying the information to particular circumstances.
The results given here necessarily apply only to the specific samples tested at a given time by the National Archives of Australia. Each run of paper, board, plastic, etc from a given mill or manufacturer can, and probably will, be different. Therefore, National Archives test results may not be applicable to products ordered from the same suppliers today.
From the beginning of 1999 the National Archives paper testing facility was accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to carry out a range of tests including the PAT. Testing after that date has therefore been carried out to the standard required by NATA. Before 1999 testing was carried out according to the ISO standard but without NATA accreditation.

Photographic Activity Test – products that have passed the test

PAPER AND BOARD PRODUCTS	Supplier	Manufacturer	Date of test
Dry mount photo album (black page and interleaf)	Abbey Plastics Pty Ltd 105 Percival Rd Smithfield NSW 2164	Unknown	2004
Paperboard inserts: cream, black and white	Albox Australia Pty Ltd 56 North Terrace Kent Town SA 5067 Contact: Richard Tyrcha Email: richard@albox.com.au Phone: (08) 8362 4811 Fax: (08) 8362 4066 Web: www.albox.com.au	Unknown	2003
Perpetuum Wove, 90gsm	Archival Survival Pty Ltd PO Box 2394 Hawthorn VIC 3122 Phone: 1300 78 11 99 Fax: 1300 78 11 46 Email: info@archivalsurvival.com.au Web: www.archivalsurvival.com.au	Australian Paper Pty Ltd	2003 and 2006 (retest)
Archival Folder Board white, 320gsm	Archival Survival Pty Ltd (as above)	Australian Paper Pty Ltd	2006
Green Grey Library Board 240 gsm & 490gsm	Archival Survival Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2006
Archival corrugated board, (Blue/Grey) single wall and double wall	Archival Survival Pty Ltd (as above)	Visyboard	2006
Reflex archival (copy paper)	Australian Paper Contact: Samantha Pearce 21A Worth St Chullora NSW 2190 Phone: (02) 9355 1701 Mobile: 0408 817 387 Fax: (02) 9355 1722 Email: Samantha.Pearce@Paperlinx.com.au	Australian Paper	2004
Optix offset Milli Vanilla – 110 gsm	Australian Paper (as above)	Australian Paper	2000
Cotton linter paper	Australian Paper (as above)	Shoalhaven paper mill	2004
Folder board (white)	Avery Dennison, Australia	Avery Dennison, Australia	1999
Barrier paper	Canson	Canson	1996
Library board, light weight	Canson	Canson	2003
Archive Text (copy paper)	Conservation Resources (U.K.) Ltd	Unknown	1996
ProLong 500 year archival folder board 270 gsm	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd 31–33 Chifley Drive Preston VIC 3072 Phone: 1300 132 570 Fax: 1300 132 571 Email:sales@conservationresources.com.au Website:www.conservationresources.au.com Product website: www.prolong.com.au/home1.html	Unknown	2003
ProLong 500 year Watermarked Archival Laser/Copy Paper	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2001
ProLong 500 year Watermarked Archival Laser/Copy Paper 80 gsm	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2003
ProLong 500 year Archival Barrier Paper, Watermarked 80 gsm	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2003
ProLong 500 year Archival Folder Board, White 270 gsm	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2003 and 2006 (retest)
ProLong 500 year Archival Single Wall, Corrugated Board, Blue/Grey	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2003
ProLong 500 year Archival Double Wall, Corrugated Board, Blue/Grey	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2003
ProLong 500 year Corrugated Boxes, Blue/Grey	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2003
ProLong 500 year Archival Envelopes, Watermarked, 80 gsm, Buffered, Ungummed	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2003 and 2006 (retest)
ProLong 500 year Archival Folders and Document Wallets, 270 gsm, White	Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Unknown	2003 and 2006 (retest)
Fuji Xerox – ‘Gold’ (copy paper)	Fuji Xerox, Australia	Fuji Xerox, Australia	1999
Fuji Xerox – ‘X’ (copy paper)	Fuji Xerox, Australia	Fuji Xerox, Australia	1999
Memory scrapbook page (paper and plastic elements)	Grant Studio 365 Glenferrie Road Malvern Victoria 3144	Unknown	2003
Pocket page photo album page (paper and plastic elements)	Grant Studio (see above)	Unknown	2003
Photo album page, white (paper and plastic elements)	Grant Studio (see above)	Unknown	2003
Magnetic photograph album page (paper, plastic and adhesive elements)	Grant Studio (see above)	Unknown	2003
Heritage photo album – ‘Tomahawk’ (creme) leave paper	Hermes Precisa, Australia	Unknown	1996
Heritage Photo Album – black leave paper	Hermes Precisa, Australia	Unknown	1996
Heritage Photo Album – lining paper	Hermes Precisa, Australia	Unknown	1997
1. 179 gsm File folder, manila buff 2. 179 gsm File folder, white 3. 244 gsm File folder, manila buff 4. 244 gsm File folder, white 5. 293 gsm File folder, manila buff 6. 285 gsm File folder, manila buff 7. 285 gsm File folder, white 8. 325 gsm File folder, manila buff 9. 325 gsm File folder, white 10. 375 gsm File folder, manila buff 11. 375 gsm File folder, white	Jackaroo Pty Ltd PO Box 889 Manly, NSW 1655 Phone: (02) 9976 2299 Fax: (02) 9976 3040	International Paper, USA	2003
1. 163gsm (#100) Buff Hi-Yield Manila File Folder Board 2. 202gsm (#124) Hi-yield Manila File Folder Board 3. 293gsm (#180) Hi-yield Manila File Folder Board 4. 293gsm (#180) Hi-yield White File Folder Board 5. 374gsm (#180) Hi-yield Manila File Folder Board 6. 374gsm (#180) Hi-yield White File Folder Board	Jackaroo Pt Ltd (as above)	International Paper, USA	2006
Renaissance tissue (unbuffered)	Light Impressions, USA	Light Impressions, USA	1996
Rising museum mount board	Rising, USA	Rising, USA	1996
Millennium manila board 1. 244gsm Buff 2. 285gsm Buff and White 3. 326gsm Buff and White 4. 374gsm Buff and White	Rolls Filing Systems 44 Bardia Avenue Seaford VIC 3198 Phone: (03) 9786 3522 Fax: (03) 9786 0134 Website: www.rollspl.com.au	Unknown	2003 and 2007 (retest)
Mohawk digital paper	Rolls Filing Systems (as above)	Raleigh Paper 457 Waterloo Road Chullora NSW 2190 Australia	2005
Shoalhaven Special Make (folder board)	South and Justice (as above)	Australian Paper	1999
Canson Conservation Board	The Heirloom Box Company 207 Bridport St Albert Park Victoria 3206 Contact: Stuart Hayes Phone: 1300 657 171 Email: stuha@starnext.com	Canson, USA	2003
Perma-Dur envelope	University Products, USA	University Products, USA	1996
White core board, 1 mm	X-Press Graph-X Supplies, Australia	Unknown	2000
Multimat (mat board)	X-Press Graph-X Supplies, Australia	Unknown	2000
Archivart photographic storage paper	Zetta Florence Pty Ltd 9–13 Villas Road Dandenong South Victoria 3175 Phone 1300 555 124 Fax 1300 555 024 Email: info@zettaflorence.com.au Website: www.zettaflorence.com.au	Archivart, USA	1996
Archivart Library Board (light grey)	Zetta Florence (as above)	Archivart, USA	1996
Archivart Photo-tex tissue	Zetta Florence (as above)	Archivart, USA	1997
500 Year™ Archival Barrier Paper, watermarked 90 gsm 120 gsm 150 gsm	Zetta Florence (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	2003
500 Year™ Folder Board (white) 260gsm 330gsm	Zetta Florence (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	2003
500 Year™ Library Board (grey-green) 240 gsm	Zetta Florence (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	2003
500 Year™ buffered envelopes 90 gsm seamless style, standard style 120 gsm seamless style, standard style	Zetta Florence (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	2003
500 Year™ archival folders	Zetta Florence (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	2003 and 2006 (retest)
500 Year™ corrugated archival board (blue/grey) single wall double wall	Zetta Florence (as above)	Visyboard, Australia	2002
500 Year™ corrugated boxes (blue/grey)	Zetta Florence (as above)	Visyboard, Australia	2002
Archivart interleaving paper	Zetta Florence (as above)	Archivart, USA	1996
500 Year™ archival photocopy paper, watermarked 90 gsm, 120 gsm and 150 gsm	Zetta Florence (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	2003 and 2006 (retest)
PLASTIC PRODUCTS
Semi-rigid polypropylene	Abbey Plastics (as above)	Unknown	2003
Aeroflex EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), 7mm thick, closed cell elastometric thermal insulation	Airefrig Australia Pty Ltd 10/4 Avenue of Americas Newington NSW, 2127 Phone: (02) 9648 1414 Fax: (02) 9648 1717	Aeroflex International Co.,Ltd.770 Moo 6 Taparak Road, Amphure Muang, Samutprakan 10270,Thailand. Phone:(662) 383-6599 (15 lines) Fax :(662)383-6533,E-Email:marketing@aeroflex.co.th design	2006
Polypropylene Box	Albox Australia Pty Ltd 56 North Terrace Kent Town. SA. 5067 Contact: Richard Tyrcha Email: richard@albox.com.au Phone: (08) 8362 4811 Fax: (08) 8362 4066 Web: www.albox.com.au	Albox, Australia	1996 and 2006 (retest)
Polypropylene photo album cover	Albox, Australia (as above)	Albox, Australia	2004
Polypropylene 35 mm Negative Page - 6 strip	Albox, Australia (as above)	Albox, Australia	1996
'Alpha Archival Negative Preserver'	Alpha, USA	Alpha, USA	1997
'Plastiklips' Polystyrol paper clip	Baumgarten's, USA	Baumgarten's, USA	1996
Cellaire, Polyethylene foam cushioning material 1. 2mm thick Code RH0210 2. 6mm thick Code RH06D	Bunzl/Sealed Air Australia 37-47 Rocco Drive SCORESBY 3179 VIC AUSTRALIA Web: http://www.bunzl.com.au	Bunzl/Sealed Air Australia (as left)	2006
‘Lexan’ Polycarbonate Film	Cadillac Plastics, Australia	Lexan, USA	1996
Slide Sleeves	Champion Plastics, USA	Champion Plastics, USA	1996
Archival Plus Polypropylene storage Bag	Clear File, USA	Clear File, USA	1996
Corex Polypropylene Fluteboard (grey)	Corex Plastics Australia	Corex Plastics Australia	1996
Fuji archival laminating film	Direct National Business Machines and Supplies (Australia)	Fuji (Japan)	2006
Ethafoam 220, Polyethylene foam, closed cell, 100mm thick	Dunlop Flexible Foams 36 Commercial Drive South Dandenong, Victoria, 3164, Australia Phone: 03 9215 2015 Fax: 03 9215 2020 Email: info@dunlopfoams.com.au	Dunlop Flexible Foams (as left)	2006
EVA 30, Ethylene vinyl acetate foam, 15mm thick Code Q86454	Dunlop Flexible Foams (as above)	Dunlop Flexible Foams (as above)	2006
EVA 45, Ethylene vinyl acetate foam, 11mm thick, cream	Dunlop Flexible Foams (as above)	Dunlop Flexible Foams (as above)	2006
‘Saf-T-Stor’ #PV-20 Rigid Slide Page	Franklin Distributors Corp., USA	Franklin Distributors Corp., USA	1997
‘Print File’ 35-6HB Negative Preservers	Get Smart Products, USA	Print File, USA	1996
Clear LDPE continuous roll, 50mm wide x 100 micron thick	Pinpak - Grayson Packaging Factory 3, 35 Lexton Rd Box Hill North, Victoria, 3129 Phone: (03) 9897 4000 Fax: (03) 9897 4440 Email: richard@pinpak.com.au	Pinpak – Grayson (see left)	2007
‘Slide Guard’ Polypropylene sleeve	Light Impressions, USA	Light Impressions, USA	1996
Film canister, polycarbonate, round, blue	McCabe Industries, Australia	McCabe Industries, Australia	1996
Film canister, polypropylene, square, grey	McCabe Industries, Australia	McCabe Industries, Australia	1996
Garfilm EMCL (Polyethylene terephthalate film)	Multapex Pty Ltd PO Box 312 Riverwood NSW 2210 Phone: 02 9153 7999 Fax: 02 9153 7222 Email: myles@multapex.com.au	Garware Polyester Limited 50A Swami Nityanand Marg Western Express Highway, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai – 400 057, India Phone: (022) 5698 8000 Fax: (022) 2824 8155	2006
Garfilm EMSC PT077, (polyester film)	Multapex Pty Ltd (as above)	Garware Polyester Limited (as above)	2006
‘Marbig’ folder sleeve	Q Stores, Australia	ACCO, Australia	1997
‘Marbig’ refill sleeve	Q Stores, Australia	ACCO, Australia	1997
Foam Core Board – 5mm Gold OW (J)	Quill Stationery Manufacturers Pty Ltd PO Box 14 Regents Park BC 2143 Regents Park NSW 2143 Phone: (02) 9781 0800 Web: http://www.quillstationery.com.au/	Quill Stationary Manufacturers (as left)	2006
Cellair (closed cell foam)	Rheem, Australia	Rheem, Australia	1996
'Film Lok’ 35mm frost back negative page	Savage, USA	Savage, USA	1997
Plastazote LD45, Closed cell, cross linked polythene foam, 10mm thick	Sekisui Pilon Pty Ltd 1-5 Parraweena Road Taren Point, NSW 2229 (Sydney) Australia Tel: 02-9525 9880 Fax: 02-9525 8004 E-mail: info@pilon.com.au	Zotefoams (UK)	2006
Evazote EV50, EVA copolymer foam, 10mm thick, white	Sekisui Pilon Pty Ltd (as above)	Zotefoams ( UK) (as above)	2006
Foam	Softcon Pty Ltd NSW Phone: (02) 9616 3000	Davco Abelflex	2004
Film canister, polystyrene, round, blue	Tuscan Industries PO Box 1593 Strawberry Hills NSW, 2012	Tuscan Industries	1996
Film canister, polystyrene, square, blue	Tuscan Industries (as above)	Tuscan Industries	1996
Film canister – blue, fire retardant	Tuscan Industries (as above)	Tuscan Industries	1997
Film canister, polypropylene, round, grey	Tuscan Industries (as above)	Tuscan Industries	1996
Film canister, polypropylene, grey, Nos MB 91603A, MB 91603B MB 91603C, MB 91603D, MB 91603E & MB 91603F	Tuscan Industries (as above)	Tuscan Industries	2004
Polyethylene storage bags	University Products, USA	University Products, USA	1997
‘Glad’ zip-lock bags	Woolworths, Australia	Glad, USA	1997
Polyethylene envelope	Zetta Florence, Australia (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	1996
Mylar film 75µm and 100µm	Zetta Florence, Australia (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	2006
LABELS, TAPES AND ADHESIVES
3M 305 Tape	3M, Australia	3M, USA	1997
3M 415 Double Sided Tape	3M, Australia	3M, USA	1997
Photo corners – 250, LERO 81/03	Albox, Australia (as above)	Lero Quality Adhesives, Holland	2004
Ever Fast file pin holder Code 81996	Avery Denison, Australia	Avery Denison, Australia	2004
Evasol Australian Designed and Manufactured EVA adhesive, buffered, acid-free & reversible	Distributed exclusively in Australia by: Conservation Resources Pty Ltd (as above)	Manufactured in Australia for: Book Restorations 34 Clanville Road Roseville NSW 2069 AUSTRALIA Phone: (02) 9416 9900 Fax: (02) 9416 6800 Email: antiquebooks@ozemail.com.au	2003
Splicing tape, 25 mm (adhesive and carrier tested separately)	Christy's Editorial Film and Video Supply, USA	Christy's Editorial Film and Video Supply, USA	1997
Gripit 3113	Henkel Adhesives	Henkel Adhesives	2002
Filmoplast P90 – Repair tape (adhesive and carrier tested separately)	Hughes Mouldings, Australia	Neschen, Germany	1997
‘Cine Care’ film splicing tape – 16 mm (adhesive and carrier tested separately)	John Barry, Australia	Unknown	1997
Elna Press ‘Supalux’ Barcode Label (polypropylene base and ‘SP240’ adhesive) (adhesive and carrier tested separately)	The Elna Press, Australia	The Elna Press, Australia	1997
Elna Press #7815 Barcode label (polyester base and #310 ‘Hi Precision’ acrylic adhesive) (adhesive and carrier tested separately)	The Elna Press, Australia	The Elna Press, Australia	1997
Starch adhesive	Visyboard	Unknown	2002
'Zetta Florence double sided tape'	Zetta Florence, Australia (as above)	Zetta Florence, Australia	1997
Tyvek (spun bonded polyolefin) tape (adhesive and carrier tested separately)	Zetta Florence, Australia (as above)	DuPont, USA	1997

Frequently asked questions

About the Photographic Activity Test

Photographic Activity Test – products that have passed the test