A-1671
Use of KODAK
Brown Toner to
Extend the Life
of Microfilm
The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) at the
Rochester Institute ofTechnology (RIT) in
Post-Processing Toning Procedures
Rochester, New York, extensively researched redox
blemishes in microfilms.7 IPI’s research showed
that selenium toning did not effectively stop the
spread of redox. IPI then looked at a polysulfide
solution and Kodak BrownToner solution in place of
selenium. IPI’s testing showed both solutions
stopped the migration of redox blemishes into the
roll of microfilm. As a result of brown toning, toned
microfilm has a higher resistance to the formation
of redox blemishes. The combined use of brown
toning and molecular sieves significantly enhances
film longevity even under adverse conditions.
For Deep Tank Processors*
The deep tank processor is set to run at 900F.
The transport speed is determined based on a
recommended dwell time of 60 seconds in the
brown toner solution. Depending on tank size,
the transport speed varies between processors.
Mix the Kodak BrownToner solution at a dilution
of 1:100 (1 part brown toner solution to 100 parts
water). Brown toning in deep tank processors can
be performed either in-line (as part of the normal
microfilm developing process) or off-line (use of
a dedicated processor that brown tones microfilm
after it has been processed in a separate
Based on Eastman Kodak Company and IPI test
results, KodakBrownTonerhasbeenshownto
provide additional protection against environmental
conditions that promote redox blemishes. The
treatment is effective with freshly processed and
existing microfilm collections.
processor). In an Allen F-20 Processor, for
example, in-line brown toning can be accomplished
by the following tank setup:
Tank
Solution
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Developer
Developer
Wash
Fix
Fix
Wash
Brown toner solution
Brown toner solution
Wash
Kodak BrownTonersolutioncanbepurchasedfrom
Eastman Kodak Company:
Kodak Catalog Number
Packaging
140-0928
1 gallon container
Kodak Brown Toner is highly photoactive with
microfilm chemicals. It is recommended that Kodak
BrownTonerbehandledinaseparateareafrom
the handling of microfilm developer and fix.
Calculate the replenishment rate using the following
table and formula:
Health and Safety
Replenishment (mL/ft) by Film Width
When a manufacturer has determined a product is
or contains a hazardous chemical, they are required
to provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Kodak provides MSDSs with all photographic
processing chemicals, even those that are not
classified as hazardous chemicals. MSDSs are
available by calling 1-800-242-2424, extension 43.
You will need to supply Kodak catalog numbers of
the chemicals for which you need MSDSs. Material
Safety Data Sheets for the actual working solutions
and caution labels for the processor tanks are also
available by calling the same number.
16 mm
0.60
35 mm
1.20
105 mm
3.60
Replenishment is equal to:
Processor Transport Speed x Table Value
Sample calculation for a deep tank processor:
Film Width:
Table Value:
Transport Speed:
16 mm
0.60 mL/ft
90 ft/min
Replenishment rate is equal to:
0.60 mL/ft x 90 ft/min = 54 mL/min
When working with photochemicals, it is
Off-line brown toning in this Allen F-20 Processor
can be accomplished by filling any two consecutive
tanks with Kodak BrownToner at the recommended
dilution rate and at a temperature of 900F. A wash
tank is required immediately after the second tank
of brown toner. Set the transport speed to allow a
60 second dwell time in the brown toner solution
and calculate the replenishment rate based on the
formula described above.
recommended that MSDSs for all Kodak Products
be obtained and consulted for information
pertaining to potential hazards, safe handling
guidelines, ventilation, and personal protective
equipment. While photochemical solutions and
products may contain hazardous ingredients, if the
information contained on the product label and
within each MSDS is read, understood, and
followed, normal use and handling of these
products should not pose a health risk.
*These are starting point recommendations.
Final conditions will vary.
A-1671 December 2001
3
For Table Top Processors*
Conclusion
Mix the brown toner solution at a dilution of
1:25 (1 part brown toner to 25 parts water).
The temperature of the brown toner solution
should be 1000F. If the machine speed varies,
adjust it to allow for a minimum of 25 seconds
of dwell time in the brown toner solution.
KodakBrownToner, usingtheprocedures
described above, has been shown to meet ANSI
specifications for satisfactorily toned film as
described in ANSI/NAPM IT 9.15-1993.5 All films
toned at the Kodak Disaster Recovery Laboratory
will be done in accordance with these procedures
and standards. ANSI/NAPM IT 9.1-1996 (ANSI/ISO
10602-1995)6 recognizes that microfilms given
stabilizing treatments as described here are
expected to achieve their full Life Expectancy (LE)
of 500 years for polyester-based and 100 years
for acetate-based films. If you have questions
about brown toning, please call your local Kodak
Representative or the Kodak Disaster Recovery
Laboratory at 1-800-EKC-TEST (1-800-352-8378)
or 716-253-3907.
As an example, the tank setup for a Kodak Prostar
Processor is the following:
Tank
Solution
BrownToner
BrownToner
BrownToner
BrownToner
Wash
1
2
3
4
5
6
Wash
For this particular application, a constant machine
speed of 10 feet/min yields a dwell time in the
brown toner solution (all four tanks) of 24-25
seconds.
*These are starting point recommendations.
Final conditions will vary.
Procedure to Ensure Post-Processing
Brown Toning
Toensurethatthebrowntonersolutionhas
changed the processed silver to silver sulfide,
follow this procedure.
After the post-process brown toner treatment has
been completed, measure the background density
(or D-max) of an image of a plain white document
on the microfilm. Bleach a portion of the microfilm
that contains the filmed white documents with
dichromate bleach, wash thoroughly, and dry the
microfilm. Re-measure the background density (or
D-max) of the white document. If 65% or more of
the density remains, the brown toning is sufficient.
This procedure is outlined in ANSI/NAPM IT9.15-
1993.5
Dichromate bleach is available by ordering the
following from Solutek (1-617-445-5335):
Part Number
Description
Quantity
P/N 413-24
Microfilm
4 per case; in
Bleach and
Replenisher
1 gallon bottles
A-1671 December 2001
4
References
1. ”Inspection of Processed Photographic Record
Films for Aging Blemishes,” C.S. McCamy,
National Bureau of Standards Handbook 96,
January 24, 1964.
2. ”Microscopic Spots—A Progress Report,” D.G.
Wiest and R.W. Henn, National Micro-News, 70,
249257, June 1964.
3. ”Microscopic Spots in Processed Microfilm—
Their Nature and Prevention,” D.G. Wiest and
R.W. Henn, Photographic Science and
Engineering, 7 (5), 253-261 (1963) and
“Micrographic Spots in Processed Microfilm:
The Effect of Iodide,” R.W. Henn, D.G. Wiest,
and B.D. Mack, Photographic Science and
Engineering, 9 (3), 167-173 (1965).
4. ”The Effects and Prevention of the ‘Vinegar
Syndrome’.” A. Tulsi Ram, David F. Kopperl,
Richard C. Sehlin, Stephanie Masaryk-Morris,
James L. Vincent, and Paige Miller, Journal of
Imaging Science and Technology, Volume 38,
Number 3, May/June 1994, pp. 249-261.
Note: Refer to the latest revision of each ANSI
or ISO Standard specified.
5. American National Standard: “Imaging Media
(Photography)—The Effectiveness of Chemical
Conversion of Silver Images against Oxidation—
Methods for Measuring,” ANSI/NAPM IT 9.15-
1993.
6. American National Standard: “Imaging
Materials—Processed Silver-Gelatin Type
Black-and-White Film—Specifications for
Stability,” ANSI/NAPM IT 9.1-1996 (same as
ANSI/ISO 10602-1995).
7. ”Polysulfide Treatment for Microfilm,” James M.
Reilly, D.W. Nishimura, K.M. Cuprika and
P.Z. Adelstein, Journal of Imaging Technology,
Volume 17, Number 3, June/July 1991,
pp. 99-107.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Document Imaging
Rochester, New York 14650
1-800-243-8811
KODAK CANADA INC.
Document Imaging
Toronto, Ontario M6M 1V3
1-800-465-6325
Kodak and Prostar are trademarks
of Eastman Kodak Company.
A-1671 CAT 116 5521 12/01 ©Eastman Kodak Company, 2001 Printed in U.S.A.
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