ILFORD PHOTO

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

HYPAM
FIXER
A LIQUID RAPID FIXER FOR BLACK & WHITE FILM & PAPER PRODUCTS

ILFORD HYPAM is a non-hardening rapid fixer Mixing instructions

supplied as a liquid concentrate that is diluted with Working strength ILFORD HYPAM solution can be
water for use. It is easy and convenient to use. mixed either manually or by using automatic
Without the addition of a hardener it is suitable for solution mixing equipment. If automatic mixing
all black and white film and paper, manual and equipment is used follow the equipment
machine processing applications in the manufacturer’s recommendations and advice.
temperature range of 18–40ºC (66–104ºF). It can
also be used for fixing other specialist, X-ray, Note Photographic chemicals are not hazardous
scientific products and graphic arts materials. The when used correctly. It is recommended that
fixing agent in HYPAM is ammonium thiosulphate, gloves, eye protection and an apron or overall are
it contains no sodium thiosulphate (hypo). worn when handling and mixing all chemicals.
Always follow the specific health and safety
The addition of a fixer hardener can be used to recommendations on the chemical packaging.
turn working strength solutions of ILFORD HYPAM Photochemical material safety data sheets
into a hardening fixer for Black & White films, containing full details for the safe handling,
however for most applications modern camera disposal and transportation of ILFORD chemicals
films are sufficiently hardened when manufactured are available from ILFORD agents or directly from
for most processing circumstances so the general the ILFORD PHOTO web site at;
use of a fix hardening agent is no longer www.ilfordphoto.com
recommended. The use of a fix hardener is only
recommended if:- For all film fixing applications ILFORD HYPAM is
diluted 1+4 with water. If needed a hardener can
- the film process temperature is above 30ºC be added to the diluted fixer, never mix hardener
(86ºF) with concentrated fixer. See the hardener
- poor film drying performance is being manufacturers specific instructions.
experienced
- shorter film drying times are needed For use as a fixer in paper processing machines
- there is a risk of physical damage to the film, ILFORD HYPAM is diluted 1+4 with water but for
e.g. if a roller transport processor is used. manual fixing applications it can be diluted either
1+4 or 1+9.
For paper processing applications using a fix
hardener is not recommended. Fixer concentrates do not readily mix with water,
to ensure a working strength solution performs
correctly it is very important to stir it thoroughly
during mixing. When making solutions make sure
that the mixing vessel is large enough for the
volume of solution to be mixed and stirred.
Measure out the required amount of fixer
concentrate and water accurately. Pour the
concentrate into the mixing vessel and gradually
add the water while stirring.

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HYPAM FIXER

Ensure that all utensils, processing tanks or Below are the average minimum fixing times at
dishes/trays and mixing vessels are thoroughly 20ºC (68ºF) for materials manually processed
rinsed and cleaned before mixing fresh batches of using fresh fixer with and without hardener. The
ILFORD HYPAM particularly if it is being used for range of times for film takes into account different
the first time. Wash out the mixing vessels film types. The agitation for film is the same as that
thoroughly after use. used for spiral tank development, i.e. 4 inversions
during the first 10 seconds of fixing repeated
After filling a processor with fresh ILFORD HYPAM during the first 10 seconds of each subsequent
tank solution, switch it on and allow it to get up to minute. The agitation for paper is the same as that
temperature and circulate the solutions. After the used for the dish/tray development of paper, i.e.
working temperature is reached leave it re- intermittent rocking of the dish/tray.
circulating for at least 10 minutes to ensure the
fresh chemicals are thoroughly mixed before Material Dilution Time Time with
attempting to process any film or paper. Always without hardener
replace the tank covers used on the process and hardener (minutes)
(minutes)
replenishment solutions.
General purpose 1+4 2–5 4–10
film
pH and specific gravity
Other specialist, 1+4 2–5 4–10
The following table gives the pH and specific X-ray and graphic
gravity (SG) for fresh, working strength ILFORD art materials
HYPAM. These figures were obtained under RC paper 1+4 1/ n/a
2
carefully controlled laboratory conditions and may RC paper 1+9 1 n/a
differ slightly from measurements made by users in FB paper 1+4 1 n/a
their own working areas. Users should make their
FB paper 1+9 2 n/a
own control measurements from their own
accurately mixed fresh solutions for later
For more information about fixing other specialist,
comparison. Ideally a pH meter should be used to
X-ray and graphic art materials consult the
measure solution pH but if one is not available pH
measurement sticks can be used. These are information supplied by their manufacturers.
available in various pH ranges
and those covering a range from pH 4 to pH 6 Due to the configuration of some film processing
are sufficient. SG can be measured by using a machines a longer fixing time may be
hydrometer and one covering the range from automatically given but this should not cause any
1.000 to 1.200 is useful for a wide range of process problems provided it is not excessive.
photographic process solutions.
The configuration of most RC paper processing
machines will usually give much shorter fixing
HYPAM pH SG at 20ºC/68ºF
times however this should not cause any process
dilution without
hardener problems as the fixer bath will usually be working
at a much higher temperature 25–40ºC (77–
1+4 5.0–5.5 1.080–1.090 104ºF).
1+9 5.0–5.5 1.040–1.050

Fixing times
For best results it is recommended that all process
solutions are kept at the same temperature or at
least within 5ºC (9ºF) of the developer
temperature.

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HYPAM FIXER

Washing films The use of a fix hardener and its

After fixing films are washed to remove the effect on film fix and wash times
residual thiosulphate and other by-products of the Do not use a fix hardener when processing
process. When a non-hardening fixer has been ILFORD photographic papers.
used wash the films in running water for 5–10
minutes at a temperature within 5ºC (9ºF) of the ILFORD PHOTO no longer produces a fix
process temperature. hardener, however other manufacturers do. If a fix
hardener is used during film processing the
For spiral tank use, when a non-hardening fixer recommended fix and wash times will need to be
has been used, the following method of washing is extended. Depending on the film and processing
recommended. This method of washing is faster, conditions the fix plus hardener time will be
uses less water yet still gives negatives suitable for between 4 and 10 minutes and the subsequent
long term storage. wash time 10–20 minutes. Please consult the
manufacturer of the hardener for specific
After fixing, fill the spiral tank with water at the information.
same temperature, +/-5ºC (9ºF), as the processing
solutions and invert it five times. Drain the water Generally for most applications modern camera
away and refill. Invert the tank ten times. Once films are sufficiently hardened at manufacture.
more drain the water away and refill. Additional hardening from a fixer hardener is not
usually needed or recommended for dish (tray),
Finally invert the tank twenty times and drain the spiral tank, deep tanks, rotary processors, dip and
water away. dunk (hanger) processors and short leader
processors, unless the processing temperature is
Washing RC paper above 30ºC (86ºF) or poor drying performance is
Wash RC papers for 2 minutes in fresh running being experienced or shorter drying times are
water at a temperature above 5ºC (41ºF). needed. A fixer hardener may be needed when
using a roller transport film processor to minimise
When it is important to obtain a print in the the risk of physical damage.
shortest possible time, vigorously wash RC papers
for 30 seconds in running water.

Washing FB paper
Wash FB papers for 60 minutes in fresh running
water at a temperature above 5ºC (41ºF).

Using ILFORD WASHAID reduces the washing

time thus saving time and water. Wash the prints
for 5 minutes in running water above 5ºC (41ºF),
drain off the excess water and immerse the prints
for 10 minutes in a dish/tray of 1 + 4 WASHAID
at18–24ºC (64–75ºF). Finally, wash the prints for
5 minutes in running water above 5ºC (41ºF).

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HYPAM FIXER

Capacity without replenishment An Two bath fixing

unreplenished fixer bath is eventually exhausted An extremely efficient method of fixing film or
by the build up of silver and halides in it and the paper is to use the two bath fixing technique.
action of solutions carried over from the preceding Make up two separate fixing baths of the same
baths that can cause some dilution and the pH to solution volume. Fix the film or paper in the first
be raised. bath for half the recommended fixing time and
then transfer them to the second bath for the
Material Dilution Capacity/litre remainder of the time. Continue to work this way
of working until the capacity of the first bath is reached, then
strength fixer discarded it and replace it with the second fixer
General purpose film 1+4 24x135–36 bath. Prepare and use a completely fresh second
Other specialist, bath. Repeat this process as required with the
X-ray and graphic 1+4 1m2 (11ft2) result that the film or paper is always thoroughly
art materials
fixed by the relatively fresh fixer in the second
RC paper 1+4 80 sheets of
1+9 20.3x25.4cm
bath.
(8x10in)
4m2 (44ft2)
FB paper 1+4 40 sheets of
1+9 20.3x25.4cm
(8x10in)
2m2 (22ft2)

The figures for paper may be exceeded whenever

print stability is not critically important.

Replenishment
The activity of a fixer bath can be maintained by
the regular addition of fresh working strength fixer.
A properly replenished fixer bath can be used for
a very long period of time

Material Dilution Replenishment

ml of working
strength fixer
General purpose film 1+4 45ml/135–36
855ml/m2 (78ml/ft2)
Other specialist, 1+4 855ml/m2 (78ml/ft2)
X-ray and graphic
art materials
RC paper 1+4 250ml/m2 (23ml/ft2)
1+9
FB paper 1+4 500ml/m2 (46ml/ft2)
1+9

Higher replenishment rates may be needed with

some process systems that have inefficient
replenishment systems. The suggested
replenishment rate for machine processing RC
papers is 300–450 ml/m2 ( 27–41 ml/ft2).
Lower replenishment rates, up to 50–75% less,
can be used when a properly set up silver
recovery system is in use.

To give adequate replenishment to deep tanks,

it may be necessary to remove some of the
used fixer from the tank so that the appropriate
amount of fresh replenisher can be added.
Calculate the amount of replenisher to be
added. Remove more fixer from the tank than
the amount of replenisher required. Add the
replenisher to the tank and top up the solution
to the correct level using some of the removed
fixer while stirring thoroughly.

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HYPAM FIXER

CHECKING AND MAINTAINING FIXER Adjusting fixer pH

ACTIVITY If a stop bath is not used and the pH of the fixer
Stop Bath bath is found to be to high when measured, i.e..
After development and before fixing we more alkali than it should be, then a few drops of
recommend that films and papers are rinsed in an a 50% acetic acid solution may be added to
acid stop bath such as ILFORD ILFOSTOP (with lower the pH value. This addition should be done
indicator dye). When tanks of process solutions gradually and with thorough stirring. Do not lower
are in use a stop bath immediately stops the pH of the fixer bath too far, the limits are given
development and reduces carry over of excess above.
developer into the fixer bath. This helps to maintain
the activity and prolong the life of the fixer Adjusting specific gravity SG
solution. If the solution concentration of a fixer bath is too
high or too low efficiency is reduced and poor
ILFOSTOP is also recommended for all machine fixing can be experienced.
processing applications.
If the SG of the working strength fixer bath is too
The indicator dye in ILFOSTOP turns from yellow low, i.e. the solution is too dilute, it can be
to purple when the bath is exhausted, this can be restored by adding fresh fixer concentrate,
useful when dish/tray processing paper, but can however any addition of fixer concentrate must be
be ignored for replenished machine processors. stirred in thoroughly.

In high temperature processors the SG of the

ILFORD Stop Bath ILFOSTOP ILFOSTOP PRO working strength fixer bath may become too high,
Dilution 1+19 1+19 it concentrates due to water evaporation. This can
Temperature range 18–24ºC 18–24ºC be restored by topping up the tank with water. In
(64–75ºF) (64–75ºF) some situations stirring may not be possible, e.g.
Time(s) at 2020ºC (68ºF)
in a roller transport processor, here the action of
10 10 the processor’s moving parts and re-circulation
Capacity – system should be enough to give sufficient stirring.
films/litre 15 x 135–36 22 x 135–36
(unreplenished) Film clearing time
Other specialist, In order to avoid the risk of insufficient fixing. film
X-ray and graphic 0.75m2 (8 ft2) 1m2 (11 ft2)
art materials
should remain in the fixer for twice the time it
takes the emulsion to clear. Fixer should be
Capacity – sheets of
20.3x25.4cm discarded when the clearing time in used fixer
(8x10in) 60 90 exceeds twice the clearing time in fresh fixer.
RC paper/litre
(unreplenished) The clearing time of a film and fixer combination
Capacity - sheets of can be found by the following method. It can be
20.3x25.4cm carried out in normal lighting.
(8x10in) 30 45
FB paper/litre
(unreplenished) Take a piece of scrap unprocessed film and place
a drop of the working strength fixer on to a small
The process time given is the minimum required. part of the emulsion side. Leave it until the
Due to the configuration of some processing emulsion under the drop is a clear spot, this
machines a longer stop bath time may be given should take around 30 to 60 seconds. Immerse
automatically but should not cause any process the piece of film in the fixer bath and using a stop
problems provided it is not excessive. The design clock time how long it takes for the rest of the film
of some processing machines means that a stop to clear. Clearing can be judged by comparing
bath cannot be included, provided the fixer the surrounding film area with the clear central
activity is monitored and adequate fixer spot. The time taken for the rest of the film to clear
replenishment rates are used there should be no is the clearing time. The fixing time needed is
process problems. double the clearing time.

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HYPAM FIXER

Silver concentration Silver recovery

The level of silver in a film fixing bath can be Any method of silver recovery can be used with
allowed to rise to 8–10g/l without serious effect. ILFORD HYPAM fixer but for maximum efficiency
the electrolytic method is recommended as the
The level of silver that can be tolerated in a paper treated fixer can be recycled or reused. The
fixing bath depends on the type of paper being electrolytic silver recovery units can be either an
processed and the degree of image permanence off-line remote unit, or an on-line unit in a
required. processor’s re-circulation system. When collecting
silver by electrolytic methods care must be taken
If a high level of image permanence is required not to pass too large a current through the solution
for commercial use the silver concentration in the as this may cause the fixers active ingredients to
fixer should be kept below 2 g/l when fixing FB breakdown when the silver concentration becomes
papers. This approximates to 40 20.3x25.4 cm too low. Silver sulphide may be formed and
(8x10 in) FB prints. Above this level compounds deposited on the units cathode, this is called
may remain in the paper base after washing and sulphiding, the efficiency of the fixer and the
over time possibly contribute to print staining. For silver recovery process are both reduced by
prints that need maximum stability for long term sulphiding. Vigorous electrolysis may also lead to
storage a the maximum silver level in the fixer hazardous hydrogen sulphide gas (bad eggs
should not rise above 0.5 g/l i.e.. approximately smell) being released.
10, 20.3x25.4cm (8x10in) prints.
Properly set up an electrolytic silver recovery
However, print throughput can only be a guide to system can considerably reduce the silver in a
silver concentration as it depends on the fixer solution and thereby increase its efficiency
proportion of exposed to unexposed areas on the and capacity and so allow lower replenishment
prints being processed. Silver estimator papers are rates to be used. Silver concentrations of around
usually not sensitive enough to test the very low 50–100 ppm can be commonly achieved.
silver levels suitable for optimum permanence. For
important prints it is recommended that paper is In conjunction with primary electrolytic silver
tested in the following way to ensure adequate recovery systems, a processor’s fix and wash
fixing. overflows can be further treated by secondary and
tertiary units using ion exchange and metal
Prepare the testing solution by dissolving 2g of exchange. Properly maintained these can reduce
sodium sulphide in 125ml of water. silver in the overflow to very low levels, around
3ppm, allowing processing waste discharges to
NB Take care to follow the health and safety meet to most demanding of effluent controls
information supplied by the sodium sulphide
manufacturer. To use silver recovery units for best results consult
the information provided by the relevant silver
For use, dilute the testing solution 1+9 with water. recovery equipment and processor suppliers. More
general information about silver recovery and
To establish a permanent reference for a particular other waste treatment, disposal and recycling is
type of paper, place a drop of the diluted testing available from our web site at
solution on a white area of a print that is known to www.ilfordphoto.com
be well fixed and thoroughly washed. (Use the
two bath fixing method). Remove any excess
solution with clean blotting paper or absorbent
tissue and a barely visible cream tint should be
left. This is the reference colour for a well fixed
and washed print on this type of paper.

Any subsequent prints that show a yellowing of the

test spot when tested are not properly fixed. Soak
the prints in water for 5 minutes, then repeat the
recommended fixing and washing sequence, using
fresh fixer.

Prints must be well washed before using the test, it

is not effective on prints direct from the fixer bath.
RC papers can be processed in fixers containing
higher levels of silver, 4–6g/l as the paper base is
protected on both sides by an impervious
polythene coating.

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HYPAM FIXER

WORKING SOLUTION LIFE

The life of a solution in a replenished system is
dependent on film throughput, replenishment rates,
processing temperature and film types. The only
sure way of always knowing that the activity of a
fixer is adequate is to use the techniques given
above. Properly replenished HYPAM fixer in
regular use should have a very long life, but as a
general guide it is advisable to replace it after 12
months in the process tank.

Unreplenished HYPAM working strength solutions

should last for up to:-

6 months in full tightly capped bottles

2 months in a tank or dish/tray with a floating lid
1 month in a half full tightly capped bottle.
7 days in an open dish/tray.

STORAGE
Full, unopened bottles of HYPAM concentrate
stored in cool conditions, 5–20ºC (41–68ºF), will
keep for two years. Once opened use completely
within six months and keep all bottles tightly
sealed until used.

AVAILABILITY AND CAPACITY

HYPAM fixer is available in 5 litre bottles.

A 5 litre bottle of HYPAM concentrate makes

enough working strength fixer solution to fix 600
135–36 films or 2000 20.3x25.4cm (8x10in) RC
prints or 1000 20.3x25.4cm (8x10in) FB prints.

Depending on the replenishment rates used a 5

litre bottle of HYPAM concentrate makes enough
working strength fixer solution to replenish for 550
135–36 films or 1000–2000 20.3x25.4cm
(8x10in) RC prints or 1000 20.3x25.4cm
(8x10in) FB prints.

HARMAN technology Limited, Ilford Way, Mobberley,

Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 7JL, England
www.ilfordphoto.com

Page 7 of 7 Dec 2017