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- Jun 18, 2007
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Hello Everyone, Ron urged me to post my Dye Transfer Matrix film formulation here, just in case you haven't seen it on the web at www.dyetransfer.org. The web page has much more information than here, listing details on the coating methods, etc. There are many pictures there as well.
A matrix film is an unhardened emulsion used in the production of a Dye Transfer print. The film is exposed through the base, and developed in a tanning developer, and then washed off to form a relief image. The gelatin opn the matrix film is dyed in a dye bath, and then transferred to a photo paper. Usually three matrices are made, one each for Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. I have made dozens of prints with this film, and several others are using the commercial version of this film.
While I haven't tried this, I believe this emulsion would work well as a paper emulsion of enlarger speed. It could be used as a slow taking film as well, or could be sped up using a gold sensitizer. I would add a hardener and sensitizing dyes for these applications.
The curve shape of the dye print is very linear with a short toe and shoulder. I'm not sure what the curve shape would be when coated on paper or as a taking film, but it would probably be similar. There is a plot of the curve shape in the files section of the yahoo dye transfer group.
The film was produced by Fotokemika (Efke) in Croatia, and 3 miles 50" wide was coated. We are currently working on producing more film.
If you have further interest in the dye transfer process, pease visit the site:
www.dyetransfer.org . There is a discussion group that you can join from that site.
Making the emulsion requires a system for heating a five-liter container (Stainless), and maintaining the temperature accurately. A burette suspended over the container is used to slowly drip solution B into solution A over long periods of time. A paddle stirrer is also mounted over the reaction vessel, and run at slow speed.
The following formulation (Trial # 20) is for four Liters of emulsion:
Solution A:
Potassium Bromide 168 g
Potassium Iodide (5% solution) 62.4 ml
Inert Gelatin 160 g
Distilled Water 3500 ml
Solution B:
Silver Nitrate 160 g
Distilled Water 500ml
Solution C: (for 500 ml of emulsion)
Sodium Thiosulfate (0.1% solution) 1 ml
Gelatin 30 g
(Gelatin added directly to the heated emulsion)
Solution D: (for 500 ml of emulsion)
Potassium Bromide (1% solution) 10 ml
Manganous Sulfate (1% solution) 10 ml
7-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-1, 3,4-triazaindolizine
(1 % solution pH 7.2) 7.5 ml
Acid Yellow Dye # 23 (Tartrazene) 1.5 g
Triton X-200 (1% by volume) 3 ml
Sorbitol 3.75 g
Note: Adj. pH of triazaindolizine solution to 7.20 by adding Sodium Hydroxide.
Solution E: (for 500 ml of emulsion)
1-Phenyl-5-Mercapto Tetrazol 0.1% in Ethanol 4 ml
Sodium Azide 6.5% Water Solution 20 ml
(You will probably want to substitute Thymol for the Sodium Azide as a preservative, as it isn't explosive! Solution E is what Fotokemika added as a stabilizer and preservitive)
Emulsification / Physical Ripening
Add B (at 55° C) to A (at 55° C). Use a burette over a heated beaker holding solution A at 55° C. Stir the solution using a paddle mixer. (Approx. 200 rpm). Temperature must be controlled to 1° C using a temperature controller and hot plate.
Addition as follows:
Add 10 ml of B to A in 5 seconds.
Wait 1 minute
Add 245 ml of B to A over 4 minutes.
Wait 10 minutes
Add 245 ml of B to A over 5 minutes.
Ripen additional 15 minutes
Immediately chill the emulsion using an ice bath. Chill until the emulsion is very solid, whack the side of the container, there should be a distinct 'jiggle' feeling.
Washing
Cut the emulsion into 'noodles' 1/4" crossection. Wash using distilled water for 8 hours. Change water frequently. Use at least 2 gallons of distilled water. You may use the 'silver nitrate' test, or measure the conductivity of the wash water to monitor washing.
The following steps prepare 500 ml of emulsion for coating one sheet.
Note: To prepare a batch of film having matched speed, do the following steps on the full quantity needed. Multiply the quantities by as many sheets as you are going to coat. Sensitize the emulsion with solution C, and add the final prep (solutions D and E). Filter the entire batch in two stages, first with 40 um filter paper, followed by 5 um filter paper. Use a vacuum filtration system. Pour the emulsion into 1L stainless containers with lids, 500 ml per container. Refrigerate until fully gelled. Remelt the emulsion in one of these containers, and immediately coat. Use the same procedure for each coating. I coat 8 30x40" sheets of Melenex film with one batch of emulsion.
Sensitization
Remelt the emulsion, heat to 60° C. Add the 30-g gelatin to the mix, and stir until fully dissolved. Add Solution C, mix thoroughly. Stir rapidly for 1 hour while maintaining temp at 60° C. Control temp to 1° C. This step should be stirred vigorously. Cover the emulsion with aluminum foil while stirring to prevent fogging from the safelight. The emulsion's speed increases greatly during the sensitization process.
Final Prep
Add solutions D and E, mix. The Tartrazene dye is used to absorb blue light to cause the depth penetration exposure effect and to minimize scattering. If you want to store the film for a long period of time, make sure you add Solution E, the PMT stabilizer is very effective, with the film being usable after one year at room temperature storage. A wetting agent Triton X-200 is added to promote even coating. Triton X-200 is an an-ionic surfactant. It is available from Union Carbide Corp. 1-800-568-4000. The Sorbitol is a plasticizer used to minimize reticulation, drying marks, and minimize curl. Mix a full batch of emulsion, and pour into separate containers. Store chilled.
Coating
Coat 500 ml over a 32" X 50" area. At > 100° F.
Note - coat about 1/2 this much for a taking film or paper coating.
Regards - Jim Browning
A matrix film is an unhardened emulsion used in the production of a Dye Transfer print. The film is exposed through the base, and developed in a tanning developer, and then washed off to form a relief image. The gelatin opn the matrix film is dyed in a dye bath, and then transferred to a photo paper. Usually three matrices are made, one each for Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. I have made dozens of prints with this film, and several others are using the commercial version of this film.
While I haven't tried this, I believe this emulsion would work well as a paper emulsion of enlarger speed. It could be used as a slow taking film as well, or could be sped up using a gold sensitizer. I would add a hardener and sensitizing dyes for these applications.
The curve shape of the dye print is very linear with a short toe and shoulder. I'm not sure what the curve shape would be when coated on paper or as a taking film, but it would probably be similar. There is a plot of the curve shape in the files section of the yahoo dye transfer group.
The film was produced by Fotokemika (Efke) in Croatia, and 3 miles 50" wide was coated. We are currently working on producing more film.
If you have further interest in the dye transfer process, pease visit the site:
www.dyetransfer.org . There is a discussion group that you can join from that site.
Making the emulsion requires a system for heating a five-liter container (Stainless), and maintaining the temperature accurately. A burette suspended over the container is used to slowly drip solution B into solution A over long periods of time. A paddle stirrer is also mounted over the reaction vessel, and run at slow speed.
The following formulation (Trial # 20) is for four Liters of emulsion:
Solution A:
Potassium Bromide 168 g
Potassium Iodide (5% solution) 62.4 ml
Inert Gelatin 160 g
Distilled Water 3500 ml
Solution B:
Silver Nitrate 160 g
Distilled Water 500ml
Solution C: (for 500 ml of emulsion)
Sodium Thiosulfate (0.1% solution) 1 ml
Gelatin 30 g
(Gelatin added directly to the heated emulsion)
Solution D: (for 500 ml of emulsion)
Potassium Bromide (1% solution) 10 ml
Manganous Sulfate (1% solution) 10 ml
7-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-1, 3,4-triazaindolizine
(1 % solution pH 7.2) 7.5 ml
Acid Yellow Dye # 23 (Tartrazene) 1.5 g
Triton X-200 (1% by volume) 3 ml
Sorbitol 3.75 g
Note: Adj. pH of triazaindolizine solution to 7.20 by adding Sodium Hydroxide.
Solution E: (for 500 ml of emulsion)
1-Phenyl-5-Mercapto Tetrazol 0.1% in Ethanol 4 ml
Sodium Azide 6.5% Water Solution 20 ml
(You will probably want to substitute Thymol for the Sodium Azide as a preservative, as it isn't explosive! Solution E is what Fotokemika added as a stabilizer and preservitive)
Emulsification / Physical Ripening
Add B (at 55° C) to A (at 55° C). Use a burette over a heated beaker holding solution A at 55° C. Stir the solution using a paddle mixer. (Approx. 200 rpm). Temperature must be controlled to 1° C using a temperature controller and hot plate.
Addition as follows:
Add 10 ml of B to A in 5 seconds.
Wait 1 minute
Add 245 ml of B to A over 4 minutes.
Wait 10 minutes
Add 245 ml of B to A over 5 minutes.
Ripen additional 15 minutes
Immediately chill the emulsion using an ice bath. Chill until the emulsion is very solid, whack the side of the container, there should be a distinct 'jiggle' feeling.
Washing
Cut the emulsion into 'noodles' 1/4" crossection. Wash using distilled water for 8 hours. Change water frequently. Use at least 2 gallons of distilled water. You may use the 'silver nitrate' test, or measure the conductivity of the wash water to monitor washing.
The following steps prepare 500 ml of emulsion for coating one sheet.
Note: To prepare a batch of film having matched speed, do the following steps on the full quantity needed. Multiply the quantities by as many sheets as you are going to coat. Sensitize the emulsion with solution C, and add the final prep (solutions D and E). Filter the entire batch in two stages, first with 40 um filter paper, followed by 5 um filter paper. Use a vacuum filtration system. Pour the emulsion into 1L stainless containers with lids, 500 ml per container. Refrigerate until fully gelled. Remelt the emulsion in one of these containers, and immediately coat. Use the same procedure for each coating. I coat 8 30x40" sheets of Melenex film with one batch of emulsion.
Sensitization
Remelt the emulsion, heat to 60° C. Add the 30-g gelatin to the mix, and stir until fully dissolved. Add Solution C, mix thoroughly. Stir rapidly for 1 hour while maintaining temp at 60° C. Control temp to 1° C. This step should be stirred vigorously. Cover the emulsion with aluminum foil while stirring to prevent fogging from the safelight. The emulsion's speed increases greatly during the sensitization process.
Final Prep
Add solutions D and E, mix. The Tartrazene dye is used to absorb blue light to cause the depth penetration exposure effect and to minimize scattering. If you want to store the film for a long period of time, make sure you add Solution E, the PMT stabilizer is very effective, with the film being usable after one year at room temperature storage. A wetting agent Triton X-200 is added to promote even coating. Triton X-200 is an an-ionic surfactant. It is available from Union Carbide Corp. 1-800-568-4000. The Sorbitol is a plasticizer used to minimize reticulation, drying marks, and minimize curl. Mix a full batch of emulsion, and pour into separate containers. Store chilled.
Coating
Coat 500 ml over a 32" X 50" area. At > 100° F.
Note - coat about 1/2 this much for a taking film or paper coating.
Regards - Jim Browning
