Details:
Summary:
This study was made to determine the functions of isopropanol as it is used in lithographic fountain solutions. It had been suggested that alcohol acts as a wetting agent, an evaporant, a diluent, a lubricant and also reduces the emulsification of the ink/water mixture. Various materials were added to the fountain solution to duplicate a single property of the alcohol mixture Laboratory measurements of these mixtures were made and they were then tested as fountain solutions on the press. From these studies. the function of the isopropanol appears to be that of a surfactant combined with evaporative and diluent properties. A fountain solution designed for use on a continuous feed dampening system without isopropanol was tested with limited success.