The analysis of solvents in ballpoint inks may be a useful parameter for determining the age of ink on paper. As a consequence, this relative amount of solvent released at a certain low temperature, and its decrease with time, can be used to estimate ink age.

What materials can radiocarbon date?

Samples that have been radiocarbon dated since the inception of the method include charcoal, wood, twigs, seeds, bones, shells, leather, peat, lake mud, soil, hair, pottery, pollen, wall paintings, corals, blood residues, fabrics, paper or parchment, resins, and water, among others.