Sailor Epinard Comparison & Chromatography

[SamCapote]

In addition to the excellent comparisons done by Geoduc & others, I thought it might be interesting to see how they separate into component colors with some coffee filter chromatography thrown in. You can certainly see a variety of colors separating out, and a long, black streak in the MBRG to explain it's color. I liked how Hunter's preserved most of its green on the way up. PPE would not separate until it got almost to the top, likely would have gone farther if I let it keep drinking.

 

Also did a writing & Q-tip swab (second is a double swipe) on Rhodia. Took a photo (with and without flash) and did scans. This took a longer time than I thought it would to do !

 

(click for larger images)

 

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Inks/Sailor/Epinaud-Scan1s.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Inks/Sailor/Epinaud-Photo1s.jpg

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Inks/Sailor/Chromo-Photo1s.jpg http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Inks/Sailor/Chromo-Photo2s.jpg

 

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Inks/Sailor/Chromo-Scan1s.jpg

 

 

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[whichwatch]

Sam, can you explain that "chromotography" affect?

 

I've noticed the same type behavior when I rinse pens then dry them nib down on a paper towel. It seemed to be a way to determine what colors were actually present in the ink.

 

So what causes the colors to separate and some absorb further along the paper than others? Is it a density or specific gravity related thing?

[mstone]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatography

[SamCapote]

Sam, can you explain that "chromotography" affect?

 

I've noticed the same type behavior when I rinse pens then dry them nib down on a paper towel. It seemed to be a way to determine what colors were actually present in the ink.

 

So what causes the colors to separate and some absorb further along the paper than others? Is it a density or specific gravity related thing?

 

The various water based ink dye compounds have different sizes and more separation of electrical charges ("polarity") at the molecular level. You put a spot of ink towards the bottom of the dry filter paper strip. Inserting the bottom paper edge in clean water, draws it slowly up the paper by capillary action. When the water encounters the ink spot, the various color dye molecules go into solution and continue on the journey with it.

 

In general, the larger size (heavier molecular weight), and/or those with more electrical separation of charges (i.e. more "polar") dye molecules get deposited/bound to paper cellulose fibers first. The dyes which are smaller/lighter, and/or with less electrical separation of charge (i.e. more "non-polar") travel up farther.

 

If you had a permanent, non-water soluable ink like a Sharpie marker, nothing would happen with water, but soaking it in alcohol would separate it. Theoretically a 100% bulletproof ink, once allowed to fully dry, should also have no separation of colors. If a color is using a single, pure color dye (or pigment), there should only be that one color stretching out with the water (i.e. pure primary colors of red, yellow, & blue).