Why is water-based ink not resistant to alcohol?

Date: Oct 23 2024 From: Star Color

In the printing industry, water-based inks are highly favored due to their environmental friendliness and ease of use. However, a notable issue is that most water-based inks exhibit significant intolerance when exposed to alcohol, especially those with a concentration exceeding 75%.

Technologically speaking, it is not difficult to address alcohol resistance by incorporating special materials into the formula of water-based inks. However, few manufacturers produce water-based inks specifically for alcohol resistance, nor do they promote this feature as a primary selling point. What are the reasons behind this?

Reasons for the Alcohol Intolerance of Water-Based Inks

Interaction between Ink Components and Alcohol:
Water-based inks are primarily composed of binders (such as water-soluble resins), pigments, and additives. The binder is the main component of the ink, determining its transfer and drying properties. However, when certain components of the binder come into contact with alcohol, chemical reactions or dissolution may occur, leading to a decline in ink performance.

Pigments and additives may also be affected by alcohol. Some pigments may change color or fade under the action of alcohol, while additives may become ineffective due to dissolution by alcohol.

Impact on Ink Drying Process:
Water-based inks require a certain drying time to form a stable ink film after printing. However, the volatility of alcohol can accelerate the drying process of the ink, potentially leading to uneven drying or the formation of poor ink films. Alcohol, as an organic solvent, can disrupt the chemical bonds and molecular structures in the ink, triggering adverse changes in the ink.
Why is water-based ink not resistant to alcohol?

Can Water-Based Inks Achieve Alcohol Resistance?

Despite the intolerance of water-based inks to alcohol, technical improvements and formula optimization can still enable water-based inks to resist alcohol.

Optimizing Binders: Choosing binders with stronger alcohol tolerance, such as specific polymers or resins, can improve the alcohol resistance of water-based inks.
Improving Pigments and Additives: Selecting pigments and additives that are not easily soluble in alcohol can further enhance the alcohol resistance of water-based inks.
Adjusting Ink Formulas: By precisely adjusting the proportions and types of components in the ink, the overall performance of the ink, including alcohol resistance, can be optimized.

Practical Demand Considerations for the Alcohol Intolerance of Water-Based Inks

Currently, the primary goal of water-based inks is to address environmental issues, rather than specifically targeting alcohol resistance. This is because in many printing applications, the requirement for alcohol resistance in inks is not particularly high. From a cost perspective, improving the alcohol resistance of water-based inks may require additional raw material and production process costs. This may not be economically viable for some low-cost printing products.

Therefore, the issue of whether water-based inks are resistant to alcohol is actually an economic one, rather than a technical one.

If you need water-based inks that can resist alcohol, you can contact us at Zhongzhixing. We can provide water-based inks with alcohol resistance.