Background and Scope:
Due to supply problems, Markem Corporation will begin using a new resin in the manufacture of the 699x-series inks that are supplied to Xandex as of March 12, 2001. The change will apply to all Markem 6990, 6993, and 6997 inks. The purpose of this document is to provide information on testing that was done by Xandex in order to confirm that the coming raw material change will yield inks that meet all the required performance criteria and are equivalent in every way to the original formulas.
Markem Test Results
Markem has performed testing of the new resin and inks formulated using the resin. The new resin "...was compared to the existing resin using FTIR and found to be identical." For more information from Markem, visit www.markem.com or follow this link to the Markem contact information page.
Xandex Test Results:
All Xandex test results indicate that the new formulas are one-for-one replacements for the original formulas. For more information on test parameters used, contact Xandex Customer Service. The following is a summary of the testing that was performed:| Ink Characteristic* | Test Result | | Viscosity | Equal to Standard | | Dot Size (DM-1, all cartridge sizes) | Equal to Standard | | Dot Size (DM-2, all cartridge sizes) | Equal to Standard | | Dot Shape and Consistency | Equal to Standard | | Shelf Life | Equal to Standard | | Debris Level | Equal to Standard | | Adhesion | Equal to Standard | | Solvent Resistance (tested both after soft cure @ 85o C and hard cure @ 170o C): | | Isopropyl Alcohol:
Acetone:
M-Pyrrol:
DieMark Remover:
Markem 540:
Aptek 6515: | Equal to Standard
Equal to Standard
Equal to Standard
Equal to Standard
Equal to Standard
Equal to Standard | | Mileage (DM-1 and DM-2) | Equal to Standard | | Heat Resistance (180o C, 30 minutes) | Equal to Standard | | Ionic Levels | Equal to Standard | | Dot Cracking | None Observed | | Hot Chuck Performance | Equal to Standard | | Backflow (DM-1 only) | None Observed | | Ink Build-Up on the Needle | Equal to Standard | | Cartridge Clogging | None Observed |
* All ink dot characterization testing performed at ambient temperature of 70° degrees F, relative humidity of 50% using polished, unetched silicon wafers (no passivation) |
