DEVELOPMENT OF ERASABLE WHITE BOARD MARKER INKS

The demand for high-quality erasable markers in educational and corporate settings has grown, yet formulating an ink that balances vivid coloration, smooth application, and effortless erasure remains a complex challenge. This research focuses on the development of an erasable whiteboard marker ink by refining formulations to address issues of faint markings and poor erasability identified in prior work. Using the Box Wilson experimental design, eight distinct ink formulations were prepared by varying the concentrations of pigment (carbon black), resin (acrylic resin), and separating agents (silicon oil and liquid paraffin), with the solvent (ethanol) comprising the balance to 40g. The performance of each formulation was evaluated based on erasability, writability, darkness, odor, and storage stability using a graded scale and compared to a commercial standard (Mon Ami ink). The results indicated that Formulation 1 (4g acrylic resin, 6.6g silicon oil, 6g carbon black, 23.4g ethanol) and Formulation 2 demonstrated superior overall performance in writability and darkness. While Formulation 1 exhibited good writability and darkness, its erasability was not on par with the commercial standard, receiving a "D" grade after prolonged testing. Formulations 3, 4, 5, and 7 produced very faint marks, likely due to high solvent content. The study concludes that while a functional erasable black ink was developed, further optimization is required to match the complete performance profile of leading commercial products. This research provides a foundational framework for future development of high-performance, erasable marker inks.