Apermanent marker orindelible marker is a type ofmarker pen that is used to create permanent or semi-permanent writing on an object.
In general, permanent marker ink comprises a main carriersolvent, aglyceride, apyrrolidone, aresin, and acolorant,[1] making itwater resistant. It is capable of writing on a variety of surfaces from paper to metal to stone. They come in a variety of tip sizes (ultra fine to wide), shapes (chisel point, bullet tip, and wide bristle), and colors (metallic, orultraviolet reactive).
Most markers have alcohol-based solvents. Other types, called paint markers, containvolatile organic compounds which evaporate to dry the ink, and are similar tospray paint. Due to solvents such astoluene andxylene often being present in permanent markers, they have a potential for abuse as arecreational drug.
The permanent marker was invented in 1952 bySidney Rosenthal.
Permanent markers are used for writing on metals, plastics, ceramics, wood, stone, cardboard etc. However, the mark made by them is semi-permanent on some surfaces. Most permanent marker ink can be erased from some plastic surfaces (likepolypropylene andteflon) with little rubbing pressure.They can be used on ordinary paper, but the ink tends to bleed through and become visible on the other side.
In addition to being used for labelling microscopy slides, permanent markers can be used to do a negative stain of a bacterial sample. This means the background is stained with the marker, but the bacteria are not. The bacteria can be seen because they are unstained (lighter) while the background is stained (darker).[2]
Permanent markers are generally used on hard, non-porous surfaces, because instead of staining they form a surface layer that, despite their name, can be removed byhigh pressure cleaning,paint thinners, ororganic solvents such asacetone,xylene, ortoluene. When used indoors,isopropyl alcohol,ethanol, andethyl acetate are preferred cleaners, as their fumes are much less hazardous than toluene and xylene, the main components ofpaint thinner, or the longer-chain hydrocarbons found inmineral spirits. Other common non-polar solvents includebenzene,turpentine and otherterpenes (which constitute essential oils of many plants with strong scents), mostethers,chloroform anddichloromethane,hydrocarbon fuels, anddiacetone alcohol, among many others. Many of these solvents are toxic, carcinogenic, or flammable, and should only be used with adequate ventilation.
While these methods work well for non-porous surfaces, removing permanent marker fromporous materials like fabric or carpet requires a different approach.[3]
Most brands of "OLFA" marker wipe off easily withacetone-free nail polish remover, the kind containingethyl acetate, a relatively non-toxic organic solvent.
A permanent marker can also be removed by drawing over it with adry erase marker on non-porous surfaces such as awhiteboard,[4] as dry erase markers also contain a non-polar solvent. Most dry-erase board cleaner solutions also contain effective organic solvents like2-butoxyethanol to remove the pigment.
Due to their potential to be used forvandalism, some locales, such asFlorida,California,New York City, andBerwyn, Illinois, have laws against possessing permanent markers in public, and prohibit sales of them to those under the age of 18.[5][6][7]
Visitors to monuments atUNESCO World Heritage sites are strictly prohibited from carrying permanent or paint markers.[citation needed]
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