Ok...So here's my draft introduction so far..I hope its passable...

Permanent Markers are commonly used for labeling, marking objects and surfaces, lettering and creating posters. It was invented in 1952 by Sidney Rosenthal and was comprised of a relatively simple design involving a glass bottle which held ink within a felt wool wick and a writing tip; similar to the arrangement of the modernized version today.

The liquids in Permanent Markers are generally water resistant. For the marker to be classified as "permanent", two qualifications must be met. One, being the inclusion of a pigment or dye and two, being the capability to be water resistant and/or adhesive to the majority of surfaces.

Older markers contained hydro-carbonic organic chemicals e.g xylene which were potentially harmful and toxic. However, the main ingredients of a Permanent Marker of today are much less poisonous. The predominant components of the modern Permanent Marker are : colourants, solvents and resin.

The colourants in a Permanent Marker are pigments or dyes which provide the ink with colour. As the markers are alleged "permanent", pigments are the preferable colourant as dyes are soluble in water and tend to fade easily. Pigments, however are insoluble in water or non-polar solvents, unless the material is ground into extremely fine powder.

The ink solvents or carriers of a Permanent Marker are the most crucial component of the pen. The carriers dissolve other components and transfer the liquid via siphoning through a sponge. A switch from xylene solvents to less poisonous alcohol e.g. ethanol was made in 1990 to suit the increasing number of adolescence utilizing the marker at school. Once applied, the solvent automatically evaporates, leaving only the colourant and resin.

Ink resin is a glue-like polymer which ensures that the colourant is affixed to the surface once the solvent evaporates. The ink solvent keeps the resin fluid within the tube of the marker pen. The resin is non-polar like all other components and thus enable the ink to be "permanent".


0 comments!