Trial Purpose:
To evaluate previously tested product at lower concentrations for cleaning the six inks.
Date Run:
04/30/2008Experiment Procedure:
Coupons were coated with each of the six supplied inks. These included Dykem Stop Off, Markal Valve Action Paint marker, Nu-Mark marker, Sharpie permanent marker, Sakura Coatings Product Company Solid Marker and the Avery Marks-A-Lot permanent marker (black). Once dry, coupons were cleaned using a handheld swab that was immersed into the cleaning product. Cleaning lasted for up to 2 minutes. Following the cleaning, the coupons was wiped once to dry surface. Observations were made and recorded.
Three dilutions were evaluated: 40%, 20% and 10%. If the dilution required under one minute to be effective, then a lower concentration also was evaluated. If the dilution took longer than a minute and a half, a higher concentration was evaluated.
Trial Results:
The two most challenging inks for the diluted product were blue sharpie and the black Avery Marks-a-lot marker. The easiest to remove was the Nu Marker, which was cleaned at 10% in less than 20 seconds.
| Contaminant | Dilution | Observations |
| Dykem | 40% | 40 seconds to clean |
| 20% | 90 seconds | |
| Markal | 20% | 20 seconds |
| 10% | 40 seconds | |
| Nu Mark | 20% | 15 seconds |
| 10% | 15 seconds | |
| Sharpie | 20% | 120 seconds - 90% removed |
| 40% | 60 seconds - 95% removed | |
| Solid Yellow | 20% | 90 seconds |
| 40% | 90 seconds | |
| Marks-a-lot | 20% | 120 seconds -95% removed |
| 40% | 60 seconds - 95% removed |
Success Rating:
Results suggest a scale-up feasible match for cleaning chemistry and equipment. Pilot plant study with actual parts recommended.Conclusion:
The Vertec Bio Gold 3 was found to be effective on the six contaminants when diluted with water. The 20% dilution may be the best choice for a universal concentration for all six inks.
