Alkoxylated Polymer Binders for Low-Viscosity High-Opacity Inks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymers used in high-speed printing inks and coatings face challenges in achieving a balance between low viscosity for high-speed application, high opacity, and durability, often compromising properties like gloss and scratch resistance due to the constraints of ink formulations.
Innovation Solution
Development of alkoxylated polymers with alkoxylated sites, terminal ends, and polyfunctional monomers or oligomers with active hydrogen groups, which can be used as dispersants or low-tack binders to improve the compatibility and performance of printing inks and coatings, enhancing opacity, gloss, and scratch resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the amount of solids in an ink or coating is increased to achieve desired opacity and gloss, then opacity and gloss are improved, but viscosity increases which reduces printing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of polymer binders by introducing alkoxylated groups (ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide units) to change the viscosity parameter. This allows the formulation to maintain lower viscosity at higher solids content by altering the molecular architecture and intermolecular interactions of the polymer chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite polymer systems combining different polymer types (polyester, polyurethane, acrylic) with alkoxylated modifications. This composite approach allows optimization of both opacity (through higher solids loading) and printing speed (through reduced viscosity) by leveraging the complementary properties of different polymer components.
2Productivity
If binders and resins with low viscosity are used to enable high speed printing, then printing speed is improved, but scratch resistance and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular parameters of the binder by incorporating alkoxylated groups, which reduce viscosity for faster printing while the crosslinkable functional groups (epoxy, carboxyl, hydroxyl) provide pathways for forming durable, scratch-resistant networks after application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary reactive functional groups (epoxy, carboxyl, hydroxyl) into the low-viscosity alkoxylated polymer structure. These groups are prepared in advance to enable subsequent crosslinking reactions that will provide durability and scratch resistance after the high-speed printing process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If dispersing agents are added to achieve homogeneous pigment dispersion and stable coating, then dispersion stability is improved, but viscosity increases which affects printing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the alkoxylated polymer multi-functional by incorporating both dispersant properties (through alkoxylated chains that interact with pigments) and binder properties (through crosslinkable functional groups). This eliminates the need for separate dispersing agents, maintaining low viscosity while achieving stable dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the binder and dispersing agent into a single alkoxylated polymer molecule. The alkoxylated portions provide dispersion stability by interacting with pigment surfaces, while the polymer backbone and crosslinkable groups provide binding and film formation, all within one component that maintains low viscosity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides alkoxylated polymers. The alkoxylated polymers have two or more alkoxylated sites. The alkoxylated polymers can comprise any monomers and/or oligomers that contain one or more functional groups with an active hydrogen. The alkoxylated polymers are useful in any application for which polymers are generally used. For example, the alkoxylated polymers are useful as additives in ink and coating compositions.