Sharpie Marker

[ripcord4 0]

Does anyone know the effect of a "Sharpie" marker on parachute nylon? I think it might be a bit too much acidic for safe use in marking a canopy. Yes? No?

[councilman24 37]

Whether it's too acidic or not, it runs all over the place.

Parachute marking ink. Or a long time ago a study found that Staetdler lumicolor pens were the least destructive. I had a hard time finding them until I went to Austria for work. You can get them here if you look hard enough. But now they seem to apply that name, now lumocolor, to various products.

I have the original ones I got in Austria and some from here that seem to be the same product.

The study showed EVERYTHING weakened nylon.

I'm trying to find my photos of the data. Don't hold your breath.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[LouDiamond 1]

The Sanford "sharpie" T.E.C. permanent marker is what climbers use to mark the middle of the rope and qualifies as an acid free marker and would be a good choice.The Trace Element Certified (T.E.C.) marker meets the requirements regarding trace element content for the nuclear energy, aerospace, electronic, aeronautic and ship building industries.

From Sanford:
There are two criteria, which identify "Acid Free" Products:

1. The product must contain no added acid
2. The product must contain an ink with a pH specification of 7 or above, or the product has no measurable pH because it contains a solvent - based ink or it is a solid. (The pH cannot be measured if the ink does not contain water) ProductColor


The following Sanford sharpie products are considered acid free:
Permanent Markers
7000 Marker All Colors
7007 Marker All Colors
Deluxe Marker - All Colors Not Black
King Size Marker - All Colors Not Black
Liquid Tip Marker All Colors
Magnum 44 - All Colors Not Black
Mean Streak All Colors
Rub-A-Dub Black
Sharpie Autograph Black
Label Pen Black
Penguin Freezer Wrap Marker Black
T.E.C. Markers Black
Sharpie Industrial Black



However, as stated already, everything has been shown to weaken nylon to some degree.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[antonija 0]

Quote

(The pH cannot be measured if the ink does not contain water)

Actually... you can. It's just not practical as comparison of values alone will give you no benefit at all.

pH is nothing more that negative log(10) value of H+ ion concentration and that can be determined in almost everything (including solids).
I shall now retire back to my troll cave. That is all. As you were.

I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

[ripcord4 0]

Thanks all, for your answers - although I'm not certain about the last post....LOL!

[councilman24 37]

Of course the Sharpie Permanent Marker say on it, "Not for letter writing or cloth."

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[riggerpaul 1]

Quote

Of course the Sharpie Permanent Marker say on it, "Not for letter writing or cloth."

There's no mention of that on the 25-pack I picked up recently.

I can't read what's left of the label on the older markers in my collection, so maybe they used to say it.

[AndyMan 7]

I don't have any problem putting sharpie marker on mains or reserves.

I've seen reserves that fail pull tests where the 10 year old sharpie marks are still quite strong.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[riggerrob 643]

People have been writing - on (polyester or nylon) freebag bridles for 25-or-more years - with a wide variety of felt markers and the failure rate is miniscule.

[ManagingPrime 0]

Quote

The Sanford "sharpie" T.E.C. permanent marker is what climbers use to mark the middle of the rope and qualifies as an acid free marker and would be a good choice.The Trace Element Certified (T.E.C.) marker meets the requirements regarding trace element content for the nuclear energy, aerospace, electronic, aeronautic and ship building industries.

From Sanford:
There are two criteria, which identify "Acid Free" Products:

1. The product must contain no added acid
2. The product must contain an ink with a pH specification of 7 or above, or the product has no measurable pH because it contains a solvent - based ink or it is a solid. (The pH cannot be measured if the ink does not contain water) ProductColor


The following Sanford sharpie products are considered acid free:
Permanent Markers
7000 Marker All Colors
7007 Marker All Colors
Deluxe Marker - All Colors Not Black
King Size Marker - All Colors Not Black
Liquid Tip Marker All Colors
Magnum 44 - All Colors Not Black
Mean Streak All Colors
Rub-A-Dub Black
Sharpie Autograph Black
Label Pen Black
Penguin Freezer Wrap Marker Black
T.E.C. Markers Black
Sharpie Industrial Black



However, as stated already, everything has been shown to weaken nylon to some degree.

Thank you. I've been looking for this information for a while.

Now. The million dollar question. Would you use it on a component, say line attachment tape, in a single parachute system?

[LouDiamond 1]

Yes, I've used a sharpie on components as have most other riggers and manufacturers. Every bridle kill line out there has been marked with a sharpie as have other pieces/parts at some point during their assembly,etc.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING