Actinic-Ray-Curable Ink Composition Fluidity and Scratch Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actinic-ray-curable ink compositions without photopolymerization initiators face challenges such as decreased fluidity, reduced printability, increased dry-down time, and reduced scratch resistance when using allyl polymers as binder resins.
Innovation Solution
The use of a specific combination of a polymer or resin (component (A)) and a monomer and/or oligomer (component (B)) with an ethylenically unsaturated bond, along with a pigment and a pigment dispersant, in an actinic-ray-curable ink composition, where the content of component (B) is 15 mass% or greater, to achieve favorable fluidity and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If photopolymerization initiators are used in actinic-ray-curable ink compositions, then drying speed is improved, but odor generation increases due to low-molecular-weight decomposition products
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the photopolymerization initiator component from the ink composition, achieving curing through alternative mechanisms (redox polymerization using reducing agents and oxidizing agents, or cationic polymerization) that do not generate odorous decomposition products, thus resolving the contradiction between drying speed and odor generation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the polymerization mechanism from photopolymerization to redox or cationic polymerization by adjusting chemical parameters (adding reducing agents like hydroquinone monomethyl ether and oxidizing agents like m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid), thereby eliminating the source of odorous decomposition products while maintaining curing functionality
2Reliability
If diallyl phthalate resin is used as binder resin, then drying properties are improved, but environmental harm increases due to phthalic acid ester content
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful phthalic acid ester component (diallyl phthalate resin) from the binder resin system, replacing it with environmentally benign alternatives such as polyethylene glycol and its derivatives, thereby eliminating environmental harm while preserving drying properties through alternative curing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the problematic diallyl phthalate resin with simpler, environmentally safer alternatives like polyethylene glycol that can achieve the required performance without the harmful phthalate ester structure, effectively substituting a harmful material with a safer one
3Object-affected harmful factors
If allyl polymers are used as binder resins in compositions without photopolymerization initiators, then environmental safety is improved, but fluidity and scratch resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite binder resin system combining polyethylene glycol (for environmental safety and solubility) with carefully selected monomers and oligomers (providing 15-40 mass% of the total composition) that contribute ethylenically unsaturated bonds for polymerization. This composite approach maintains fluidity and scratch resistance while preserving environmental safety
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adjusts the molecular weight, functional group content, and composition ratio parameters of the monomers and oligomers in the composite system to optimize fluidity and mechanical properties. By controlling these parameters within specific ranges, the invention achieves adequate fluidity and scratch resistance without compromising environmental safety
4Object-affected harmful factors
If allyl polymers are used as binder resins in compositions without photopolymerization initiators, then environmental safety is improved, but scratch resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention develops a composite system where polyethylene glycol serves as the base binder resin (ensuring environmental safety) combined with specific monomers and oligomers containing ethylenically unsaturated bonds (15-40 mass%). The polymerization of these components creates a crosslinked network structure that provides the necessary scratch resistance and mechanical strength while maintaining environmental safety
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by having different components serve specialized functions: polyethylene glycol provides environmental safety and solubility, while the embedded monomers and oligomers (at 15-40 mass%) provide the reactive sites for polymerization that generate the hardened film structure responsible for scratch resistance
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
This solution results in an actinic-ray-curable ink composition with improved fluidity, dry-down properties, and scratch resistance, while minimizing the use of photopolymerization initiators and reducing environmental concerns associated with diallyl phthalate resin.
Implementation Method 1
An actinic-ray-curable ink composition achieves drying through an increase in molecular weight of components contained in the ink composition by irradiation with ultraviolet rays or electron beams
Implementation Method 2
increasing a molecular weight based on oxidation of components contained in the ink composition
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an actinic-ray-curable ink composition having favorable fluidity and capable of imparting favorable dry-down and scratch resistance to a printed matter obtained by the use thereof while reducing the use of photopolymerization initiators by using monomers and oligomers that can be polymerized even without using a photopolymerization initiator and even while reducing the use of diallyl phthalate resin from an environmental perspective. The above-described problem is solved by an actinic-ray-curable ink composition comprising a component (A) that is at least one polymer or resin selected from (A1) a polymer of allyl monomers, (A2) a rosin-modified resin, and (A3) a terpene monomer skeleton-containing resin, and a component (B) that is (B1) a monomer and/or an oligomer having an amine functional group and/or (B2) both a monomer and/or an oligomer not having an amine functional group but having an aryl ketone skeleton or an alkyl aryl ketone skeleton, and a polyether acrylate having an amine functional group.