Aqueous Ballpoint Pen Ink Composition for Abrasion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-based ink compositions for ballpoint pens fail to maintain a smooth writing feel and effectively suppress abrasion of the ball receiving seat when stored for long periods with the pen tip facing downward.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink composition containing a coloring material, fine particles with a new Mohs hardness of 3 or greater and an average particle size of 30 μm or less, a polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl-based surfactant, and a water-soluble solvent, with specific ratios and properties to ensure stability and flow properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fine particles having a new Mohs hardness of 4 or greater are used to suppress abrasion of the ball receiving seat, then abrasion resistance is improved, but when stored for a long time with a pen tip facing downward, coloring material is deposited on the pen tip causing stiff writing feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hardness parameter of fine particles from 4 or greater to 3 or greater, and introduces a specific surfactant component to control particle deposition. This parameter adjustment allows the ink to maintain abrasion resistance while preventing pigment deposition on the pen tip during storage, thereby preserving smooth writing feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl-based surfactant as an intermediary substance that mediates between the fine particles and the ink medium. This surfactant prevents aggregation and deposition of coloring materials on the pen tip while allowing fine particles to remain suspended and effective for abrasion suppression during writing.
2Reliability
If ultrafine particles with particle size of less than 0.1 μm are used to suppress abrasion, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the writing feel and abrasion suppression effect are slightly insufficient after long-term storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the particle size parameter from less than 0.1 μm to 0.01 to 10 μm, and combines this with specific hardness requirements (new Mohs hardness of 3 or greater). This parameter optimization ensures that fine particles remain effectively suspended during long-term storage while maintaining their abrasion suppression capability and contributing to smooth writing feel.
3Stability of the object's composition
If polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl-based surfactant is used to improve dispersion stability, then dispersion stability is improved, but abrasion suppression capability is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of dispersion stabilization and abrasion suppression by combining polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl-based surfactant with fine particles having specific hardness (3 or greater) and size (0.01 to 10 μm) characteristics. This combination allows the surfactant to maintain dispersion stability while the hardened fine particles provide abrasion suppression capability simultaneously.
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 ink composition maintains a smooth writing feel and effectively suppresses abrasion of the ball receiving seat even after long-term storage, ensuring consistent ink flow and writing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl-based surfactant
Implementation Method 2
suppressing abrasion of a ball receiving seat
Data Source
AI summary
A water-based ink composition for an aqueous ballpoint pen that maintains smooth writing feel even when stored for a long time with a pen tip facing downward and is excellent in suppressing abrasion of a ball receiving seat is provided. Such an ink composition for an aqueous ballpoint pen includes an ink composition for an aqueous ballpoint pen, the ink composition comprising at least a coloring material; fine particles having a new Mohs hardness of 3 or greater and an average particle size of 30 μm or less; a polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl-based surfactant; and a water-soluble solvent.