Heat-Curable Acrylate Printing Medium for Ceramic Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing mediums for ceramic applications, particularly those using solvents and ultraviolet light for curing, release high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are limited in film thickness, requiring specialized UV curing equipment.
Innovation Solution
A heat-curable acrylate-based printing medium that uses free-radical initiators and forms an interpenetrating polymer network through crosslinking with heat, excluding the need for UV light and reducing VOC release, allowing for thicker coatings and lower VOC emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If solvent-based systems are used for printing medium, then ease of application is improved, but VOC release increases to 300-400 grams per liter or greater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using acrylate-based oligomers and monomers with specific functional groups instead of traditional solvents. This parameter change enables the printing medium to be applied easily while reducing VOC release to below 300 grams per liter, resolving the contradiction between ease of application and harmful emissions.
2Speed
If ultraviolet curable coatings are used, then curing speed is improved, but film thickness is limited to about 30 microns and specialized equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the UV light-based curing mechanism with a thermal curing mechanism using heat-activatable free radical initiators. This substitution eliminates the need for complex UV lamp equipment while maintaining fast curing speeds and enabling coating of thicker films beyond the 30-micron limitation of UV systems.
3Productivity
If ultraviolet curable coatings are used, then curing efficiency is improved, but application to thicker films greater than 30 microns becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism parameters from UV photo-polymerization to thermal free-radical polymerization. This parameter change allows heat to penetrate and cure thicker films effectively, removing the 30-micron thickness barrier while maintaining high curing efficiency through the use of heat-activatable initiators that provide rapid polymerization.
4Ease of operation
If conventional solvent-based printing mediums are used, then ease of printing is improved, but environmental impact increases due to high VOC emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the formulation parameters by replacing high-VOC solvents with acrylate-based oligomers and monomers that have low vapor pressure. This parameter change maintains ease of printing and application while reducing environmental impact through significantly lower VOC emissions, achieving compliance with environmental regulations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The medium achieves low VOC emissions and can cure thicker coatings without UV equipment, ensuring strong adhesion and burnout, while minimizing environmental impact and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention provides an acrylic based curable printing medium that can be cured without the use of special ultraviolet curing equipment. The mediums of the invention can be cured with heat alone, such as convection heating or infrared heating.
Implementation Method 2
Acrylates, in the form of monomers, dimers, trimers, oligomers, and resins, form an interpenetrating polymer network by crosslinking, which is effected by heat and the optional use of curing agents such as peroxides.
Implementation Method 3
The mediums of the invention can be cured with heat alone, such as convection heating or infrared heating.
Implementation Method 4
The mediums of the invention can be cured with heat alone, such as convection heating or infrared heating.
Data Source
AI summary
An acrylate-based curable printing medium is disclosed. Acrylates, in the form of monomers, dimers, trimers and oligomers, as well as resins, form an interpenetrating polymer network by crosslinking, which is effected by heat, and optionally peroxide curing agents. Formulations can be tailored to achieve desired properties of the cured polymer including film hardness, burnout properties, and adhesion to glass. Such properties are adjusted by manipulating the relative proportions of the acrylic monomers, oligomers and resins that are used as a ceramic medium or vehicle.