Components of The Developer Solution & Their Functions

COMPONENT CHEMICAL FUNCTION

1. DEVELOPING AGENT HYDROQUINONE - 60F  Reducing agent, produce black densities
(Reducers) (Q DEVELOPER) slowly
 Principal component, controls “shoulder”
Amplifier Metallic Silver of characteristic curve; upper scale
density (Dmax)
 Sensitive to oxygen that result to
developer oxidation
 Provides upper scale density; creating
OD above 1.2-2.0/2.4 OD in the image
 Slowly reduces silver
 Sensitive to light
 Contrast Indicator
 Difference density

PHENIDONE - 75F  Reducing agent, produces shades of grey

(P DEVELOPER) rapidly; secondary component
(METHOL & ELON) - MANUAL  Controls “toe” of characteristic curve
(Dmin)
 Provide increase concentration of
solution
 Provide intermediate densities
 Quickly reduces silver; cannot reduced
heavily exposed areas
 Speed Indicator
 1.2 OD
 Midrange density
 Sensitive to temperature
 2. ACTIVATOR SODIUM CARBONATE  Retard the activity of developers agent
(Buffering Agent) SODIUM HYDROXIDE to a control limit
POTASSIUM CARBONATE  Helps swell gelatin; produces alkanity;
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE controls PH
SODIUM METABORATE  Buffering Agent
 Nutralizes PH and stops developer
action.
 Best Alkalizer
 PH (10 - 10.5)
 PH (9.6 - 10.6)
 PH - Alkalinizer
3. RESTRAINER POTASSIUM BROMIDE  Starter solution - decrease developer
(Regulator) SODIUM BROMIDE activity
(Anti Foggant) SODIUM IODIDE  Anti foggant agent
(Starters) POTASSIUM IODIDE  Reducer - controls activity of reducing
BENZOTHIOSULFATE agent
-Decrease activity of Developing Agent.  Protects unexposed crystal from
chemical attack
 Added to the developer to limit its
activity to only the exposed silver
crystals
 Fog increases when low in developer
4. PRESERVATIVE SODIUM SULFITE  Control oxidation; decreases oxidation
(Anti Aging) POTASSIUM SULFITE of solution
(Anti Oxidants)  Helps maintain the proper development
rate
 Makes the developer to remain clear
 Stabilizer - maintains balance among
developer components
 5. HARDENER GLUTARALDEHYDE  Controls emulsion swelling and
(Tanning Agent) DIALDEHYDE enhances ahival quality
 Maintain uniform thickness
 “Tanning Agent”
 Ensure film is transported properly
through washand dry section
 Prevent Pick Off Emulsion Artifact

6. SEQUESTERING AGENT CHELATES  Removes metallic impurities; stabilizes

developing agent
 Forms stable complexes with these
metallic ions and salts
 Prevents precipitation of a calcium
sludge

7. SOLVENT WATER (Distilled)  Dissolves chemicals for use

 Use to dilute the concentration of the
proper strength of the chemicals
 Liquid in which various solids and
powders can be dissolve
 Components of The Fixer Solution & Their Functions
COMPONENT CHEMICAL FUNCTION

1. ACTIVATOR ACETIC ACID  Provides acidic PH; neutralizes the

(Acidifier) Neutrilizer developer and stops its action
 Development fog occurs when the
BORIC ACID reducing action of the developer is not
Buffer stopped
 Acid PH (4-4.5) / (4.2-4.9)

2. FIXING AGENT AMMONIUM THIOSULFATE  Removes undeveloped silver bromine

(Clearing Agent) SODIUM THIOSULFATE - Manual from emulsion
-Permanents the image Processing  Clearing agent, hypo or thiosulfate
 Removes unexposed and undeveloped
SHC from the emulsion
 Classically known as “Hypo”
 Function to clear the film of the
unexposed, undevelope AgBrcrystals
 Thiosulfate - causes a brownish stain

3. HARDENER POTASSIUM ALUM  Stiffens and shrinks emulsion

ALUMINUM ALUM  Causes emulsion to become more rigid
CHROMIUM ALUM or hardened
ALUMINUM CHLORIDE  Prevents fading of the image
 Must function in acidic environment
 Raises temperature at which gelatin
softens
 Potassium Alum - not considered an
organic reducing agent
4. PRESERVATIVE SODIUM SULFITE  Maintains chemical balance
(Stabilizer) CYGON  Dissolves silver from the ammonium
thiosilversulfate
 Reduces sulphurization of fixing agent
 Ensure superaddivity

5. BUFFER ACETATE  Maintains proper balance

 Helps to make the alkalinity/acidity

6. SEQUESTERING AGENT BORIC ACID & SALTS  Anti sludging agent

SODIUM SALTS OF EDTA  Removes aluminum ions
SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE  Prevents precipitation of calcium sludge
(CALGON) which would show up as chalky deposit
on the film

7. SOLVENT WATER  Dissolves other components