Analyzing Surland's Emulsification Test in Terms of HLB Theory

The water-pickup behavior of lithographic printing ink during Surland's emulsification test depends upon the identities of both fountain solution and ink. It also varies with the quantity of fountain solution present during mixing, with the amount of dampening concentrate in the fountain solution, and with the concentration of wetting agent in the dampening concentrate. A pseudo-first-order reaction rate theory was initially used to analyze emulsification test results. The Hydrophile-Lipophile-Balance (HLB) theory appears to be a better way for explaining the widely varying water-pickup behaviors. The pros and cons of this HLB approach are discussed. Implications in keyless lithographic printing are mentioned. mixing, with the amount of dampening concentrate in the fountain solution, and with the concentration of wetting agent in the dampening concentrate. A pseudo-first-order reaction rate theory was initially used to analyze emulsification test results. The Hydrophile-Lipophile-Balance (HLB) theory appears to be a better way for explaining the widely varying water-pickup behaviors. The pros and cons of this HLB approach are discussed. Implications in keyless lithographic printing are mentioned.