D3208-00 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide

ASTM D3208-00 establishes the critical specifications for manifold papers—the lightweight bond sheets used to create carbon copies of permanent and semipermanent documents. Because the carbon copy often becomes the official record of an organization, its chemical stability and physical durability are paramount. This standard specifically links paper permanence to three distinct levels of extract pH, which correlates strongly (0.7 to 0.9) with longevity.

📜 Scope and Significance of Manifold Paper Permanence

The standard applies to papers produced for typewritten copies. It dictates that the primary indicator of longevity is the pH of an aqueous extract of the paper, provided the paper hasn’t been modified with an alkaline surface size or coating. Three pH levels are established, reflecting three distinct life expectancies. The specification also strongly