Ink decolorization tester

Definition of ink decolorization testing machine

Ink decolorization testing machine is a special testing equipment used to evaluate the abrasion resistance of inks on the surface of printed products. It quantitatively measures the ability of ink layers to resist peeling or color transfer by simulating friction that may occur during actual use or transportation. The instrument has a wide range of application values in the fields of packaging, printing and material science, and its test results are often used as an important basis for evaluating the durability and quality stability of printed products.

Principle

The working principle of the ink decolorization tester is based on mechanical friction simulation. Instruments are typically equipped with a friction head that applies a defined pressure that wraps around a standard friction medium such as white test paper or a specific cloth. During the test, the friction head moves back and forth across the specimen surface with a fixed stroke and frequency. The abrasion resistance of the ink can be evaluated by comparing the color of the specimen or the degree of contamination of the friction medium before and after friction. The basic relationship can be expressed as follows: the amount of wear is related to the pressure, the number of frictions and the speed.

Measurement method

Standard measurement processes usually follow relevant industry or national standards (e.g., GB/T, ASTM, ISO series standards). First, secure the printed specimen on the instrument platform to ensure a flat surface. Subsequently, the specified friction medium is installed on the friction head, and the test parameters are set according to the standard, including the applied pressure (unit: N), friction speed (unit: times/minute) and the total number of frictions. Start the instrument After completing the test, take out the specimen and friction medium. Two methods are often used to evaluate the results: one is to use a colorimeter to quantitatively measure the color difference value ΔE between the friction area and the non-friction area of the specimen; The second is to evaluate the color staining grade of the friction medium by visually comparing the gray sample card or the dyeing scale scale. The test report should clearly record the parameter settings, environmental conditions and evaluation results.

Influencing factors

The results of ink decolorization test are affected by multiple factors. In terms of instrument parameters, the applied pressure, the movement speed and stroke of the friction head, and the cumulative number of frictions will directly affect the degree of wear. The characteristics of the test body are more critical, including the formulation of the ink, the degree of curing, the thickness of the film layer, and the surface roughness, absorbency and hardness of the substrate. Environmental conditions such as temperature and relative humidity can affect the physical properties of the material. In addition, the choice of friction media (e.g., paper quantification, surface texture) also introduces variables. Therefore, standard test methods tightly control these conditions to ensure comparability and repeatability of results.

Applications

This equipment is mainly used in industries that require quality control of printed durability. In the packaging industry, it is used to test the anti-scratch ability of barcodes, logos and patterns on the outer packaging of food, medicine and other commodities during handling and circulation. In the printing industry, it is used to evaluate the adhesion fastness of inks on products such as book covers, posters, labels, etc. In addition, it can be used as an effective tool for formulation optimization and performance comparison in ink development and production. Relevant tests also provide objective data support for the formulation of product standards and acceptance specifications.

Selection considerations

Choosing a suitable ink decolorization testing machine requires comprehensive consideration of a number of technical indicators. The core is to confirm that the instrument meets the national or international standards on which the target test is based, ensuring that its structure and accuracy are consistent with the requirements of the standard. It is important to pay attention to whether the adjustable range of the instrument's parameters (e.g., pressure, speed, counting) covers the application requirements. The repeatability and stability of the instrument are the basis for ensuring the reliability of the test data. The user-friendly design of the operation interface, the versatility and ease of replacement of the fixture also affect the user experience. In addition, the supplier's technical support capabilities, calibration services, and spare parts supply continuity should be within the scope of decision-making. It is recommended that users conduct a comprehensive evaluation according to their main test material types and standard requirements.