February 2013
Alcohol replacers were developed and generally accepted into use in the 1970’s as a replacement for isopropyl alcohol in the press ready mixture. Alcohol replacers, like isopropyl alcohol, are used in combination with a fountain concentrate to deliver a very thin and even water film across the plate surface on continuous type dampening systems. Many printers choose to eliminate the major disadvantages of isopropyl alcohol, including its health and environmental concerns, the increased cost of constant replenishment and its flammability.
The trend to finer lines and spaces continues to challenge processors of innerlayer material. With thinner core laminate and thinner copper foil, mechanical cleaning — the cleaning method of choice for years — is no longer an option.