Pigment and Ink Dispersions

The spectrum of applications is broad, including raw substances for lacquers and adhesives, pigment and filler dispersants, ink additives, detergents, and cosmetics [77]. 

Uses Dispersant, wetting agent for acidic carbon bik. and phthalo pigments in solv.-based coatings and inks dispersant in syn. lubricants, e.g., high-pressure gear lubricants, high performance industrial lubricants... 

Flexo and gravure inks are both known as Hquid inks because of their low viscosity. The inks for both systems have basic components in common with inks for other printing processes. Vehicles disperse and carry the pigment, and also contribute most to the end use properties. Colorants provide color. Solvents dissolve resins in the vehicle and determine drying rate. Additives modify ink properties to overcome deficiencies. 

Water-Based Writing Inks. These consist of very fine pigment dispersions in aqueous media containing small amounts of glycol or glycerol and a dispersing aid. They dry mainly by evaporation and quick wetting of ceUulosic fibers in paper substrates. 

Water-based flexo inks can be formulated with either a soluble toner or with the Day-Glo EPX Series which is a tme pigment and can be formulated like a conventional pigment dispersion. The Radiant Aquabest or the Day-Glo WST can be formulated in an alkaline water-soluble system to yield strong inks. They have limited shelf life and inferior fade, but do not necessarily requite additional binder. Day-Glo EPX must be formulated with a binder such as a hard resin or can be used with one of the soluble toners such as WST. The EPX Series has several advantages over soluble toners such as much superior fade, exceUent ink stabiHty, and some hiding power over kraft-type papers. A disadvantage of the EPX is its lower tinctorial strength than other fluorescent toners. 

Available Forms. Phthalocyanines are available as powders, in paste, or Hquid forms. They can be dispersed in various media suitable for aqueous, nonaqueous, or multipurpose systems, eg, polyethylene, polyamide, or nitrocellulose. Inert materials like clay, barium sulfate, calcium carbonates, or aluminum hydrate are the most common soHd extenders. Predispersed concentrates of the pigments, like flushes, are interesting for manufacturers of paints and inks (156), who do not own grinding or dispersing equipment. Pigment—water pastes, ie, presscakes, containing 50—75% weight of water, are also available. 

There are also problems arising from the electrical interactions between different pigments and between pigments and the media in which they are dispersed, particularly when these are liquid paints and inks. This topic is discussed in the textbooks by Parfitt and Apps (amongst others), given in the bibliography at the end of this chapter. 

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