Posted by Arthur Entlich on 11/08/39 12:01

I'm not sure if any longitudinal tests have been done on the Sharpie
solvent inks. The newer Sharpies seems to have a acetic acid smell.

One thing to consider is that CD surfaces are quite different than DVDs.

CDs top surface is usually a thin protective layer of plastic which is
sprayed on like a lacquer. Some have added a surface designed for
accepting ink or other printing methods. Under those surfaces is the
vaporized or electroplated metal (usually aluminum, sometimes silver, or
silver and gold, or gold). Then, on one time writable discs, under
that, is a surface that is an organic dye, which is made either opaque
or non-reflective when it is subjected to the writing (burning) laser.
With RW disks, the chemistry is different still using a material that
has a reversible reaction to the write laser, so it can be changed to
opaque/non transmissive or transparent many times over. Finally, under
that layer is a very thick layer of polycarbonate plastic, which is the
underside surface of the CD which the laser writes and reads through.

DVDs are quite different. The most important aspect is that the
vulnerable light sensitive data forming layers are sandwiched on both
sides with a layer of polycarbonate plastic, which is about equal in
thickness on both surfaces. You can see this if you hold a DVD on it's
edge and look closely with a light on the opposite edge. That design
makes the data surface quite well protected from either side, and you
could probably write on the top surface with the majority of inks and
paints without damaging it, since polycarbonate is a relatively
non-reactive to most ink solvents within reason.

Art


smh wrote:

> . --------------------------------------
> Mike Richter, were you born with
> "Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
> --------------------------------------
> http://tinyurl.com/38wte6
>
> (No Mikey S-Lickers have been able to prove ANY of the above )
> (is a LIBEL -- despite Mikey claimed to have PROOF of libels!)
> '
>
> Mike Richter squeaked:
>
>><snip>
>
>
> Does Sanford know anything now, Mikey?
>
> =======================
> From: smh
> Date: 12/8/04
> Subject: DVD Labels
>
> Mike Richter crapped:
> >
> > Sanford, maker of the Sharpie, recommends against it for
> > the purpose, suggesting their pens with water-based ink.
> >
> > Of course, what do they know?
>
> Of course, you must have just dug that out of your ass,
> isn't that right, Mikey?
>
> (From CD-R FAQ)
> The official word from Sanford is:
>
> "Sanford has used Sharpie Markers on CDs for years and we have
> never experienced a problem. We do not believe that the Sharpie
> ink can affect these CDs, however we have not performed any
> long-term laboratory testing to verify this. We have spoken to
> many major CD manufacturers about this issue. They use the
> Sharpie Markers on CDs internally as well, and do not believe
> that the Sharpie Ink will cause any harm to their products.
>
> Sanford Consumer Affairs"
> =========================

[Back to original message]