Does Inks Contain Organic Material?

[Opooh]

In another topic Harlequin suggests that using chewing gum to seal a cartridge could introduce beasties in the cartridge.

That leads to the question if inks contain organic material. When it contains organic material to give the ink a special colour, it could be possible that contamination of the ink with bacterias could alter the colour.

[corniche]

Hello Opooh,

 

I know J. Herbin uses natural dyes, and there are probably a couple more "boutique" brands that do; however, most fp inks are purely synthetic. For the few companies that use organic materials, I am sure they either go through a chemical, heat or irradiation process to sterilize all of the components before they are used. J. Herbin has been around for centuries and have had only had one isolated problem in recent history with their Eclat de Saphir a couple of years ago.

 

Inks also contain fungicides to help eliminate any subsequent issues. In the "old days," they used Phenol- which was fantastic- but it has been proven to be a carcinogenic and its use has been prohibited in modern inks, (except for maybe India and China who have far more lax health and safety regulations).

 

Fear not.

 

All the best,

 

Sean

 

 

Edit: Corrected text & typos.

Edited August 1, 2013 by S. P. Colfer

[tfwall]

That leads to the question if inks contain organic material. When it contains organic material to give the ink a special colour, it could be possible that contamination of the ink with bacterias could alter the colour.

 

 

I know J. Herbin uses natural dyes, and there are probably a couple more "boutique" brands that do; however, most fp inks are purely synthetic. For the few companies that use organic materials, I am sure they either go through a chemical, heat or irradiation process to sterilize all of the components before they are used. J. Herbin has been around for centuries and have had only had one isolated problem in recent history with their Eclat de Saphir a couple of years ago.

 

This depends on what you mean by "organic material". Does ink contain organic chemicals? Yes, almost all the chemicals in dye based ink are classified as organic. Does ink contain chemicals derived from plants or animals? That depends on the manufacturer and the ink in question. Are there chemicals in ink which can be used by microbial life? Most definitely.

 

If you could clarify your question, you would get a better answer.

Edited August 1, 2013 by Chemyst

[Opooh]

Take for example a streptococcus viridans, this bacteria produces a greenish layer on a blood-agar plate. It might be possible that bacteria X combined with organic material Y give discoloration of the material.

So the organic material I am talking about is material that can be used as " food " by the bacteria.

[tfwall]

Take for example a streptococcus viridans, this bacteria produces a greenish layer on a blood-agar plate. It might be possible that bacteria X combined with organic material Y give discoloration of the material.

So the organic material I am talking about is material that can be used as " food " by the bacteria.

 

 

Are there chemicals in ink which can be used by microbial life? Most definitely.

[..lol..]

If the ink were all made by inorganic compounds, colours would be just few (e.g. copper sulphate) andreally really toxic.

[corniche]

 

 

 

This depends on what you mean by "organic material". Does ink contain organic chemicals? Yes, almost all the chemicals in dye based ink are classified as organic. Does ink contain chemicals derived from plants or animals? That depends on the manufacturer and the ink in question. Are there chemicals in ink which can be used by microbial life? Most definitely.

 

If you could clarify your question, you would get a better answer.

 

Thanks for jumping in here Chemyst, I think I misinterpreted the OP's question, (this is typically the case for me lately ), I was taking it in a conversational tone.

 

All the best,

 

Sean