We’ve all made mistakes when writing or drawing with pencil or pen, and most of us reach for an eraser to remove or lighten those marks.
But have you ever wondered exactly how erasers manage to make our scribbles disappear?
Are you curious to know how erasers work?
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind erasers and how they allow us to erase pencil, pen, and other marks.
How Erasers Work to Remove Pencil Marks
Pencil marks are made up of graphite, a form of carbon. When you write or draw with a pencil, you deposit thin layers of graphite onto the paper.
Erasers work by physically removing those graphite deposits from the paper’s surface.
Most erasers are made of rubber, plastic, or vinyl. These materials have just the right amount of abrasiveness to lift graphite off the paper when rubbed against it.
The eraser crumbs you see are actually tiny fragments of graphite that have been scraped loose by the eraser.
Eraser ingredients like sulfur can also help lift graphite by chemically reacting with it. This helps separate the graphite from the paper fibers so it can be wiped away.
Some key factors that determine an eraser’s effectiveness on pencil include:
- Abrasiveness – A more abrasive eraser material will remove graphite faster and more thoroughly. But too abrasive can damage the paper.
- Friability – A friable (crumbly) eraser helps sweep graphite particles away. Non-friable erasers like vinyl can leave graphite smeared.
- Adhesiveness – The eraser needs to make tight contact with the paper to mechanically lift graphite away. Non-adhesive erasers have a harder time removing graphite.
How Erasers Work to Remove Ink Marks
Ink marks consist of color pigments suspended in a liquid. Unlike graphite’s thin layers, liquid ink is absorbed into the paper.
Erasers can only remove ink on the surface, not what has soaked into the paper fibers.
On ballpoint pens, the oil-based ink sits on top of paper rather than absorbing.
The pigments can then be mechanically lifted by abrasive erasers in a similar way to graphite.
With absorbed water-based inks like fountain pens, erasers rely mainly on friction and adhesiveness to disrupt any surface pigments. This works best on smooth, non-porous surfaces.
On porous paper, erasers can lightly bleach the paper by friction. This makes the ink appear lighter, but it is still present in the fibers.
Using solvents is one of the most effective ways to fully erase ink. Solvents break down dyes and allow pigments to be wiped away.
Common solvents in ink erasers include:
- Alcohol – Effective on many fountain pen and marker inks
- Acetone – Powerful solvent used in nail polish remover
- Glycol ether – Found in some commercial ink erasers
Factors That Impact Erasure Effectiveness
Several factors influence how well an eraser can remove pencil and ink marks:
- Eraser ingredients – More abrasive erasers erase better, while softer ones require less friction but quickly get used up. Natural rubber is more absorbent than synthetic rubber.
- Eraser surface – Rough, gritty surfaces provide better erasing action than worn, smooth surfaces where abrasives have broken down.
- Mark composition – Densely applied or oily/greasy marks are harder to erase. Ink dye types and paper coating also play a role.
- Applied force – Harder rubbing applies more friction and shear forces to break up and lift off marks.
- Mark age – Newer marks erase easier. As marks age, chemical bonds strengthen, so older marks are more difficult to remove.
- Paper surface – Smoother, denser paper surfaces allow for easier erasing. Rough, textured, or damaged papers make erasure more difficult.
Read: Ultimate Buying Guide To The Best Loose Leaf Binder Paper
Eraser Types and Their Uses
There are a variety of eraser types, each with pros and cons:
Pencil Erasers
Softer, friable rubber good for graphite removal with minimal paper damage
Pencil erasers are made of soft, crumbly rubber that is ideal for removing graphite pencil marks.
The rubber contains just the right amount of abrasiveness to lift off those thin layers of graphite left behind by your pencil, without being so harsh that it damages the paper.
As you rub, the friable rubber crumbles away, carrying traces of graphite with it.
This leaves the paper intact, with the pencil marks completely erased.
Pencil erasers are designed to be gentle enough for repeated corrections, making them the go-to choice for erasing pencil on paper.
Their soft rubber material gives controlled, effective erasing action while minimizing wear and tear on paper fibers.
Ink erasers
Harder plastic erasers, sometimes with solvents, to disrupt ink pigments
Ink erasers are made of firmer, harder plastic rather than soft rubber. This gives them an abrasiveness tailored for removing ink marks, which soak deeper into paper compared to pencil graphite.
The plastic material can scrape and lift off pigments sitting on top of the paper. For even tougher ink stains, some ink erasers contain solvents that chemically break down inks, helping dissolve the pigments for complete erasing.
Using controlled abrasion and solvents, ink erasers are specially designed to tackle fountain pen, marker, or ballpoint ink.
Their formulation allows them to penetrate and disrupt those ink pigments without tearing up the paper in the process.
Kneaded erasers
Soft, pliable putty erasers that can be shaped to erase fine details or lift graphite without abrasion
Kneaded erasers are made of soft, pliable putty that can be molded into any shape.
Their malleable quality allows shaping the putty into a fine point or wedge to erase very precise areas or small details.
Unlike traditional solid erasers, they don’t rely on abrasion to remove graphite or charcoal marks.
Instead, the putty lightly adheres to the paper’s surface and lifts the marks away.
This makes kneaded erasers perfect for gently erasing delicate materials like drawing paper where abrasion could damage the surface.
Their moldable form factor also lets you erase in tricky, hard-to-reach spots. Kneaded erasers are ideal for precision erasing jobs where control is key.
Sandpaper block erasers
Highly abrasive for erasing thick, heavy marks, but roughens paper surface
Sandpaper block erasers provide highly abrasive erasing power, making them well-suited for removing heavy, thick marks from paper.
They have an abrasive grit coating on the eraser surface that scrubs away graphite or ink stains.
This makes them more effective than typical erasers at erasing dense, built-up markings.
However, their rough abrasive surface can damage paper by scraping and scuffing the fibers.
So sandpaper erasers are best reserved for erasing large areas or correcting major mistakes where you need their heavy-duty erasing capability.
They give unmatched stain removal power, but at the cost of roughening and wearing down the paper surface with their intense abrasion.
Electric erasers
Powered eraser tips provide heavy-duty erasing action for large areas or mistakes
Electric erasers use powered rotational eraser tips to provide intensive, heavy-duty erasing capabilities.
They have an electric motor that spins the eraser head at high speeds, letting them scrub away marks much faster than manual erasing.
This makes them ideal for erasing large areas or major mistakes where you need to remove a lot of graphite or ink.
Their powered tips can erase thick layers of markings that would be difficult to remove with a traditional eraser.
Electric erasers give efficiency and speed for big erasing jobs.
However, the intense powered abrasion can also wear down paper surfaces if used carelessly. When controlled properly, their motorized tips offer unrivaled power and effectiveness for erasing big sections.
Gum and vinyl erasers
Cheap general-use erasers, less friable than rubber pencil erasers
Soft vinyl erasers provide a gentle, affordable erasing option. They are made of malleable vinyl plastic rather than the hard polymer used in standard vinyl erasers.
This softer material allows them to flex and bend as they make contact with paper.
The pliable vinyl increases adherence to lift off graphite or ink pigments. While not as friable and abrasive as premium rubber erasers, soft vinyl erasers are less harsh than the eraser tips attached to most pencils.
Their gentler abrasion makes them well-suited for erasing on delicate papers where you want to minimize wear and tear.
For a smooth, non-scratchy erase at an affordable price, soft vinyl erasers offer a nice middle ground between hard vinyl and high-quality rubber.
Pen style erasers
Soft, crumbly putty erasers that gently lift graphite or charcoal without damaging drawing paper
Pen style erasers have a narrow, pen-shaped form factor with a soft, blunt eraser tip. The tip is made of pliable putty rubber that crumbles away as it makes contact with the paper.
This allows the pen eraser to gently lift off graphite, charcoal, or pencil marks without abrasively scratching the paper surface.
The narrow tip also allows for precision erasing in detailed areas.
Pen style erasers provide controlled, localized erasing action, making them well-suited for delicate erasing tasks on drawing paper where heavy abrasion could damage the surface.
Their narrow profile gives an ergonomic grip for comfort while erasing.
If you need subtle, detailed erasing, a pen style eraser’s crumbly putty tip can erase without harming paper.
Plastic erasers
Less abrasive than rubber but can leave graphite smeared rather than removed
Plastic erasers are made of non-abrasive vinyl or polymer materials rather than natural rubber. This makes them less effective at removing graphite and ink, since they lack the mild abrasiveness needed to lift pigments off the page.
Plastic erasers tend to simply glide over marks without penetrating to scrape them away.
Rather than crumbling and breaking down, the solid plastic material stays intact. This can smear and spread graphite or ink around rather moving it off the paper’s surface.
For effective erasing, it’s better to choose a more friable, abrasive rubber eraser.
Plastic erasers work in a pinch, but their hard, slick material is prone to pushing pigments around rather than fully erasing them.
Tips for Effective Erasing
- Use the lightest eraser possible to avoid paper damage
- Don’t over-erase or scrub hard, which can roughen the paper surface
- Rotate the eraser as you erase to expose fresh abrasive surface
- For ink, try dabbing rather than rubbing to avoid spreading the stain
- Gently brush eraser crumbs away instead of smearing them around
- On valuable documents, use eraser strips or putty erasers instead of abrasive erasers
- Clean erasers regularly using water, a brush, or sandpaper to remove buildup
- Replace erasers once they become smooth, greasy, or otherwise less effective
Read: Types of Erasers: A Comprehensive Guide
FAQs
How are pencil erasers made?
Erasers are manufactured by mixing together liquid rubber latex, abrasives, pigments and fillers into a thick, paste-like compound. This material is cast into molds, cooled to solidify, then cut into eraser shapes.
Why do erasers turn black when I erase pencil marks?
As an eraser rubs off graphite, the tiny carbon particles get lodged in pores and crevices across the eraser’s surface, gradually turning it grayish-black. A “blackened” eraser is saturated with erased graphite.
What’s the difference between vinyl, rubber & kneaded erasers?
Vinyl erasers have a plastic-like feel and tend to be more abrasive for erasing pen inks.
Rubber erasers have a soft, pliable texture and work well for graphite removal.
Kneaded erasers can be molded and shaped, sticking to paper to lift off marks.
Can I erase ink from a pen or marker?
You can try, but ink marks can be difficult to fully erase. Abrasive vinyl erasers work better than rubber for ink, but may damage paper by scraping off surface fibers. Marks made with ballpoint pen or permanent marker likely won’t erase completely.
Why do some pencils have erasers on the end?
Having an eraser handy on pencils allows easy correction of mistakes while writing. It became common in the 1800s with the popularity of wood-cased pencils. The attached eraser provides convenience without the need to find a separate one.
How do ‘magic’ erasers like Mr. Clean work?
Magic erasers use melamine foam, a porous material that acts as a mild abrasive and can absorb grease or dirt. The physical scrubbing and chemical cleaning action allows them to clean surfaces like walls without harsh chemicals.
Can you fully erase permanent marker?
Permanent marker inks are designed to better adhere to surfaces and resist erasing. Heavy-duty solvents like acetone can help erase permanent marker, but light marker stains may remain even after erasing.
Are erasers bad for the environment?
Traditional rubber and plastic erasers contain non-biodegradable materials. But more eco-friendly options are available like renewable soy-based erasers and pencils with natural wood fiber erasers.
Conclusion
From removing wayward pencil strokes to erasing major ink mishaps, erasers are an everyday tool we all rely on.
By understanding the science behind how common eraser materials physically and chemically lift graphite and ink from paper, we can better choose the right eraser for the job.
And with the right erasing technique, you can cover up mistakes while keeping paper damage to a minimum.
So don’t be afraid to make a mark – just keep an eraser on hand to make it disappear!
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You can also visit scienceabc.com to learn more about how erasers work.
Leeisha
Creative Artist
Leeisha is a talented artist with a passion for drawing, coloring, painting, and making paper crafts. Known for her charming and talkative personality, She always finds new and exciting ways to bring her imagination to life. Whether through sketching, coloring, or paper crafting, Leeisha has a gift for turning her ideas into beautiful works of art.
