Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Solvent used in permanent markers?

acetone - 4-6-2013 at 07:47

Does anyone know what chemical is used as solvent in permanent markers? I have many dried up markers lying around.

Finnnicus - 4-6-2013 at 07:53

Probably xylene and ketones.

acetone - 4-6-2013 at 08:20

My marker's tip smell of alcohol. Maybe its isopropanol or ethanol? Its definitely not acetone. Acetone attacks plastic.

Fantasma4500 - 4-6-2013 at 09:47

that depends on what plastic youre talking about..
IIRC PVC and PET plastic is resistant to acetone
the only thing i KNOW cant handle acetone is PS, polystyrene
the stuff you use for packaging and such that i cant remember right now
acetone should work
if not then toluene.. thats pretty well allround

Endimion17 - 4-6-2013 at 12:07

Toluene and xylene? Your permanent markers are either radically different or your sense of smell is not functioning properly.
Xylene and toluene smell of paint. Permanent markers smell of heavy alcohols and/or their derivatives, like butanol, isobutanol, 2-butanol...
Most of those alcohols smell kind of fruity, whether aromatic compounds such as xylene, toluene, benzene, smell like paint.
Lower hydrocarbon compounds smell like the lighter scents of gasoline.
Ketones are fruity, but also kind of woody, acrid.

Finnnicus - 4-6-2013 at 15:46

My markers smell like paint, a lot actually, and also ketones... Thats why I said xylene. Must really depend on the brand and/or your judgement of smell. I really wouldn't describe ketones as fruity, acrid? Yes. Woody? Maybe.

chemcam - 4-6-2013 at 20:10

The brand sharpie uses a mixture of diacetone alcohol, ethanol, butanol and propanol. So I would think most brands are similar. Not sure on the proportions.

Finnnicus - 5-6-2013 at 04:59

Oh. I thought you meant the 'magic' pens, with the liquidy ink that more resembles paint. Unlike how sharpies draw lines.

acetone - 5-6-2013 at 06:35

Quote: Originally posted by Antiswat  
that depends on what plastic youre talking about..
IIRC PVC and PET plastic is resistant to acetone
the only thing i KNOW cant handle acetone is PS, polystyrene
the stuff you use for packaging and such that i cant remember right now
acetone should work
if not then toluene.. thats pretty well allround


Acetone attacks plastic of cds/dvds. Since permanent markers are used to write on them, acetone can't be used as a solvent in them.

DubaiAmateurRocketry - 5-6-2013 at 07:14

hydrocarbons ? um ? naphtha ?

Hexavalent - 5-6-2013 at 12:55

A permanent marker I have smells very similar to xylenes, which I have used numerous times and have become accustomed to their odour.

DraconicAcid - 5-6-2013 at 13:02

I'm pretty sure xylene is used in at least some markers, or the ones I have wouldn't specify that they were "xylene-free".