Obs. The above are also frequently called ‘indelible’ or ‘indestructible inks.’ They are employed for writing labels on bottles containing strong acids and alkaline solutions.
The last five are very permanent, and are capable of resisting the action of iodine, chlorine, alkaline lyes, and acids, together with all the operations of dyeing and bleaching, and at once offer a cheap and an excellent material for marking linen, &c., as they cannot be dissolved off by any menstrua that will not destroy the fabric. They must be employed with stamps, types, or stencil plates, by which greater neatness will be secured than can be obtained with either a brush or pen. See Horticultural Ink, Indelible Ink, &c.
Ink, Indel′ible. Syn. Indestructible ink. Prep. 1. Lampblack (previously heated to dull redness in a covered vessel), 1⁄4 oz.; triturate with good black ink (gradually added), 1 pint. Resists chlorine, weak acids, and weak alkaline lyes, in the cold.
2. (Bezanger.) Lampblack ground in a lye of caustic soda, combined with a mixture of gelatin and caustic soda. Said to be indelible, and to resemble genuine China ink.
3. (Braconnot.) Dantzic potash, 4 parts; tanned leather parings, 2 parts; sulphur, 1 part; water, 20 parts; boil them in an iron vessel to dryness, then raise the heat (constantly stirring with an iron rod) until the whole forms a soft mass, observing that it does not ignite; next dissolve the mass in water, q. s., and filter the solution through a cloth. Flows freely from a pen, and resists the action of many chemical substances.
4. (Carbon ink.) Genuine Indian ink, rubbed down with good black ink until it will flow easily from a pen. Resists chlorine, oxalic acid, and ablution with a hair pencil or sponge.
5. (Coathupe.) Borax, 1 oz.; shell-lac, 2 oz., water, 18 fl. oz.; boil in a covered vessel until dissolved, strain, add of thick mucilage, 1 oz., and triturate it with levigated indigo and lampblack, of each q. s., to give a good colour. After 2 hours’ repose, decant it from the dregs, and bottle for use. Resists moisture, chlorine, and acids.
6. (French.)—a. From Indian ink, diffused through water acidulated with hydrochloric acid. For quills.—b. From Indian ink diffused through water slightly alkalised with liquor of potassa. For metallic pens.
7. (Herberger.) Wheat gluten (free from starch), q. s., is dissolved in weak acetic acid of good pure vinegar, 4 fl. oz.; lampblack (best), 10 or 12 gr.; indigo, 2 or 3 gr.; and oil of cloves, 1 or 2 drops, are then added, and the whole is thoroughly incorporated together. The product is inexpensive, has a beautiful black colour, and resists the action of water, chlorine, and weak acids.
Obs. The products of the above formulæ, though called ‘indelible ink’ and ‘indestructible ink,’ are in reality only indelible as compared with common writing ink, as they may all be removed with more or less facility by chemical reagents, assisted by mechanical means. They are intended chiefly for paper, pasteboard, and parchment. No 5 is also used for glass and metal. See Marking ink.