Preventing fraud is only one aspect for consideration in the manufacture of credit cards. It is also vital to assess the physical characteristics of the card so that it does not bend easily, is not easily damaged and that the surface laminate does not peel away from the main body of the card. One leading UK inks manufacturer involved with credit card printing is now using the acclaimed
LS1 universal testing machine from Lloyd Instruments as part of a high intensity testing regime to assess credit card integrity.
With Lloyd Instruments' 'credit card peel jig' attachment, and the company's powerful
NEXYGENPlus material testing software, the manufacturer is able to perform a series of
peel strength tests at angles of both 90º and 180º with ease, accuracy, speed and flexibility. Flexural tests are also applied along both horizontal and vertical axis. Such checking ensures the printed ink does not have a detrimental affect on the adhesion strength of the laminated layers of the cards.
The international standards that these tests conform to include: ISO/IEC 7810 (Identification cards - Physical Characteristics) which sets out a range of physical characteristics including the mechanical robustness of the card, and ISO/IEC 10373 (Identification cards - Test Methods) dealing with the test methods employed to test credit cards.