The ink-mate: comparison, analysis and conclusions
We compared the original ink Epson (the ink from the printer Epson Stylus P50), with the «ink-mate» from Korean manufacturer AlphaChem for inkjet printers Epson.
Two types of ink have been tested on the following physicochemical parameters:
- density
- The dynamic viscosity
- Surface tension
- pH value (pH)
The test results were listed in table №1 - physico-chemical parameters.
Physical and chemical parameters Table №1.
|
|
Плотность, г/см3 |
|
Вязкость, мПа*с |
|
Поверхностное натяжение | Водородных показатель (рН) | ||
|
ink-mate |
Epson |
ink-mate |
Epson |
ink-mate |
Epson |
ink-mate |
Epson |
|
|
Yellow |
1.04 |
1.03 |
4.6 |
4.3 |
24.6 |
24.6 |
8.4 |
8.5 |
|
Light Magenta |
1.03 |
1.04 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
29.0 |
24.2 |
10.5 |
8.2 |
|
Magenta |
1.02 |
1.04 |
4.9 |
4.8 |
27.6 |
24.0 |
8.1 |
8.4 |
|
Light Cyan |
1.05 |
1.05 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
28.3 |
24.7 |
10.3 |
8.4 |
|
Cyan |
1.04 |
1.04 |
4.6 |
4.6 |
25.1 |
25.2 |
10.0 |
8.3 |
|
Black |
1.06 |
1.05 |
4.2 |
4.5 |
28.0 |
23.4 |
9.5 |
8.3 |
According to test results
Density - it has a strong impact on the uniformity of spreading ink on the paper and the amount of ink droplets. Epson ink density and ink-mate average is the same and equal to 1,04g / cm3. Measurements were made standard hydrometer.
Dynamic viscosity of the ink and Epson ink-mate are in the same range of 4.2-4.6 mPas. All viscosity of measurements were carried out on the same hardware - viscometer NDJ - 8S (shanghaifangruiinstrumentco., Ltd).
Surface tension - the thermodynamic characteristics are determined by traction between the dye molecules of the liquid and the boundary line with the air fraction. The results of the ink-mate for this indicator are slightly larger than in the ink of Epson, it is 24,1-29,0 N / m, and 24,4-25,2 N / m, respectively.
Hydrogen index (pH) - describes the acid-alkaline in the ink. Optimal pH should be neutral or weakly alkaline. At Epson ink on average 8.4, while in the ink-mate - 8,1-10,5
The result: on the physical and chemical indicators the ink-mate are similar to the Epson ink.
Check the color of the ink as compared with the original
Since the color reproduction is a core value necessary to accurately transfer the image to the paper. For best color are important not only high-quality ink but also the paper on which is printed. The most high-quality printing of photos obtained on glossy paper.
Table №2 - color rendition, presented values of Lab (obtained spectrophotometer X-rite) 6 investigated the colors of the two brands of ink for better comparison, they were converted to CMYK.
Colour rendering Table №2
|
|
Lab |
|
CMYK |
|
|
ink-mate |
Epson |
ink-mate |
Epson |
|
|
Yellow |
L=86.06 a=1.66 b=95.51 |
L=86.46 a=4.87 b=104.0 |
C=0 M=0.18 Y=1 Bk=0 |
C=0 M=0.18 Y=1 Bk=0 |
|
Light Magenta |
L=74.19 a=40.38 b=-15.0 |
L=73.26 a=40.1 b=-15.6 |
C=0 M=0.36 Y=0.13 Bk=0.05 |
C=0 M=0.36 Y=0.12 Bk=0.06 |
|
Magenta |
L=52.08 a=77.33 b=-6.16 |
L=47.92 a=75.17 b=-10.2 |
C=0 M=0.86 Y=0.41 Bk=0.08 |
C=0 M=0.92 Y=0.38 Bk=0.15 |
|
Light Cyan |
L=83.79 a=-17.2 b=-18.9 |
L=82.22 a=-16.8 b=-21.0 |
C=0.4 M=0.1 Y=0 Bk=0.04 |
C=0.43 M=0.11 Y=0 Bk=0.05 |
|
Cyan |
L=59.1 a=-40.1 b=-48.4 |
L=52.22 a=-29.4 b=-54.0 |
C=1 M=0.27 Y=0 Bk=0.11 |
C=1 M=0.34 Y=0 Bk=0.15 |
|
Black |
L=1.14 a=-0.14 b=1.48 |
L=14.96 a=-1.32 b=-3.51 |
C=0 M=0.02 Y=0.09 Bk=0.88 |
C=0.23 M=0.1 Y=0 Bk=0.83 |
It was determined that:
In Yellow color, as it is seen, the content of Yellow and Magenta in Epson inks and in ink-mate is identically.
In LightMagenta, the content of Magenta is identically, Yellow and Black differ by a few hundredths of.
In Magenta, the different as well for small values.
In LightCyan,the values do not differ significantly.
In Cyan, the difference is not large.
In Black, difference in the values is a bit more than in other.
Summarizing the results of the spectrophotometer of all colors, we can conclude that the color reproduction of the ink-mate is different from the ink Epson, but not significantly in the amount and gives a very good picture.
The ink-mate showed a good results in all parameters: density, dynamic viscosity, surface tension, pH value and color. All the indicators are not inferior to the original. From the test results, it follows that the ink of this brand of high quality and can be recommended for use to those who want to get high-quality photos using an inkjet printer.
