Activated Light Curable Inkjet Ink Surface Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet systems face challenges in achieving stable ink emission and high-definition image formation on various recording media due to issues with inkjet ink stability, particularly with ultraviolet cure inkjet methods, which are vulnerable to environmental factors like moisture and have difficulties in maintaining dot diameter control.
Innovation Solution
An activated light curable inkjet ink formulation incorporating 0.1% by mass of modified silicone oil, which reduces surface tension by 0-3 mN/m, combined with photo-polymerizable compounds such as those containing oxirane groups, oxetane rings, and vinylether compounds, to enhance emission stability and dot diameter control, along with a specific photo-initiator and pigment composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If UV cure inkjet method is used, then drying speed is improved and recording on non-absorbent paper is enabled, but ink emission stability deteriorates and dot diameter control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the surface tension reduction within a specific range (0-3 mN/m) through the addition of modified silicone oil. This precise parameter control allows the ink to maintain stable emission characteristics while achieving rapid drying and enabling recording on non-absorbent papers. The controlled surface tension modification resolves the contradiction between improved drying speed and maintained emission stability.
2Reliability
If modified silicone oil is added to reduce surface tension, then ink emission stability is improved, but dot diameter control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by precisely controlling the surface tension reduction parameter within 0-3 mN/m. This controlled parameter change ensures that the modified silicone oil improves ink emission stability without causing excessive spread that would compromise dot diameter control. The specific quantification of surface tension reduction is key to balancing these two requirements.
3Reliability
If cation polymerized compounds are used for UV cure, then oxygen inhibition resistance is improved, but moisture sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining cation polymerized compounds with modified silicone oil and specific photoinitiators. This composite formulation maintains the oxygen inhibition resistance of cation polymerized compounds while the modified silicone oil component helps mitigate moisture sensitivity by controlling surface properties and preventing premature curing. The synergistic combination of multiple components resolves the contradiction between oxygen resistance and moisture sensitivity.
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 solution ensures stable ink emission and high-definition image formation across various printing environments, maintaining emission stability and dot diameter control, even under different temperature and humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
when 0.1 percent by mass of the modified silicone oil is added to said activated light curable inkjet ink containing no modified silicone oil, a surface tension at 25° C. is reduced by 0 through 3 mN/m
Implementation Method 2
An activated light curable inkjet ink including: a photo-initiator, photo-polymerizable compound
Data Source
AI summary
An activated light curable inkjet ink including: a photo-initiator, photo-polymerizable compound dispersant and modified silicone oil, wherein, when 0.1 percent by mass of the modified silicone oil is added to said activated light curable inkjet ink containing no modified silicone oil, a surface tension at 25° C. is reduced by 0 through 3 mN/m.