Formulation of White Board Marker Ink Using Locally Sourced Raw Materials

This research work was conducted to demonstrate the mechanism of white board marker ink production using locally sourced raw materials such as charcoal and used lube oil. In the production of the ink, the charcoal served as a pigment, used lube oil served as the primary binder or resin, ethanol served as solvent and gum Arabic served as an additive. The charcoal was obtained from processing of Mango, Oil bean (Ugba) and rubber trees, which were further crushed to their finest particles respectively and the used lube oil was obtained from mechanical engineering servicing unit of automobile engines. The crushed charcoal samples were characterized to determine the physio-chemical properties of some mineral elements such as Ca, Cu, P, K, C, S, N. however the mineral component that controlled the production of this ink was the Carbon content. The different ink samples were formulated in terms of odour, colour, hazardous reaction, pH, density and viscosity and compared with that of international standards. Results obtained showed a good match, indicating the reliability and the quality of the produced white board marker ink. The pH results for Ugba ink = 5.43, Rubber ink = 6.79, and Mango = 7.41. Empirical models were used to predict concentration with that of experimental values, a plot of concentration against time in terms of production yield revealed that the order of magnitude was rubber>Ugba>Mango whereas in terms of penetration and writing ability Ugba>rubber>mango. Furthermore, the research demonstrates the significance of the characteristics of the charcoal and the used lube oil in the quality of the end product. Finally, the research revealed that ink produced from the oil bean (ugba) charcoal and lube oil was best in terms of write-ability and quality in the production of white board marker ink.