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| Intertek ASG Laboratory
Case Study:
Analysis of Ink Formulations
New ink products must meet increasingly demanding specifications for processability and
product performance on the printing substrate in order to be competitive.
One Intertek ASG customer is at the forefront of such ink developments with new dye and formulation
technologies.
New ink formulations require novel approaches in order to fine tune the balance of
product performance with product chemistry. Characterisation and analytical science are crucial aspects
to achieving this balance. ASG has played a key research and development role for many new product
developments. Recent examples where ASG provided important expertise in new ink formulation
projects include:
- An ink formulation where a transient form of instability was observed due to gas evolution.
ASG
used skills in GC analysis to identify the trace quantities of evolved gas and quantify the effect.
This enabled the business to assess the risk in use and proceed to the next stage of the project.
- A complex new dye was developed with a labile structure, which needed clarification to satisfy product launch criteria.
ASG developed the structural understanding and methodology using a combination of spectroscopies, including High Resolution NMR, MALDI TOF Mass Spectrometry,
LC-MS chromatography and molecular dynamics modelling.
- Unusual and undesirable optical effects were observed for an ink after application to the substrate.
ASG used skills in light microscopy and understanding of colour space to develop a methodology for quantification of the effect. ASG also carried out fundamental studies using an advanced electron microscope (SEM) facility and Atomic Force Micropscopy to relate effects to other molecular physico-chemical parameters.
All of these ink formulation research studies were carried out under considerable time pressure, supporting development programmes with tight delivery deadlines.
Intertek ASG is ready to assist your ink and dye formulation project with the same professional analytical support. |
Email ASGlab@intertek.com for more information
Case Studies:
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