Aqueous Ink Composition Resin for Low-Permeable Media Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous ink compositions used in inkjet recording methods face challenges in achieving a balance between maintenance properties and drying properties, particularly when used on low-permeable or non-permeable recording media, where high-boiling solvents are either ineffective in preventing drying at the jetting port or cause rapid drying, leading to instability and reduced mechanical strength of the image area.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous ink composition with a specific affinity between the aqueous medium and resin fine particles, where the proportion of high-boiling solvent is 3% by mass or less, and the resin contains constitutional units represented by General Formula (1) or (2), allowing for quick drying on low-permeable media while maintaining excellent maintenance properties and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-boiling solvent is contained in the aqueous medium to prevent firm adhesion at the jetting port, then maintenance properties are improved, but drying properties deteriorate on low-permeable or non-permeable recording media
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the resin fine particles by incorporating specific constitutional units (Formula 1 and Formula 2) with particular HSP values. This parameter change in resin composition enables the ink to achieve both maintenance properties and drying properties without relying on high-boiling solvents, resolving the contradiction between preventing jetting port adhesion and enabling quick drying on low-permeable media.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite resin fine particles containing multiple types of constitutional units with different HSP characteristics. By combining hydrophilic units (Formula 1) and hydrophobic units (Formula 2) in specific ratios, the composite resin achieves balanced properties that enable both maintenance function and rapid drying, eliminating the need for high-boiling solvent additives.
2Productivity
If a high-boiling solvent is not used to enable quick drying on low-permeable media, then drying properties are improved, but maintenance properties deteriorate due to rapid drying at the jetting port
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the resin composition parameters to achieve a specific HSP distance range (25-40) between the aqueous medium and resin. This parameter optimization enables the resin to maintain appropriate affinity with water for easy washability while simultaneously providing sufficient adhesion strength for image durability, resolving the contradiction without requiring high-boiling solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin fine particles act as an intermediary substance between the aqueous medium and the recording medium. The specific constitutional units in the resin mediate the interaction by providing hydrophilic groups for water affinity and hydrophobic groups for adhesion, enabling the ink to dry quickly on low-permeable media while maintaining washability and preventing jetting port clogging.
3Productivity
If the ink is required to have high drying properties for high-speed image formation, then productivity is improved, but the ink quickly dries at the jetting port causing maintenance properties to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the HSP distance parameter between the aqueous medium and resin fine particles to fall within the specific range of 25-40. This parameter control enables the ink formulation to achieve rapid drying speed for high-speed printing while simultaneously maintaining good washability and preventing jetting port adhesion, resolving the productivity-reliability contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite resin fine particles with a specific composition of hydrophilic and hydrophobic constitutional units. This composite structure enables the ink to exhibit dual characteristics: rapid evaporation/drying for high-speed formation and sufficient affinity with water for maintenance properties, eliminating the need to compromise between drying speed and maintenance reliability.
4Reliability
If the resin has high affinity with the aqueous medium, then maintenance properties are improved, but the mechanical strength of the image area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention precisely controls the HSP distance parameter between the aqueous medium and resin to fall within the range of 25-40. This parameter optimization creates a balanced affinity that is neither too strong nor too weak, enabling the resin to maintain good washability while simultaneously forming images with sufficient mechanical strength and adhesion on the recording medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates local quality differentiation within the resin structure by incorporating both hydrophilic constitutional units (Formula 1) and hydrophobic constitutional units (Formula 2) in specific ratios. The hydrophilic units provide water affinity for maintenance properties, while the hydrophobic units provide adhesion and mechanical strength, enabling both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously through local functional differentiation.
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 enables high-speed and high-precision image formation on low-permeable or non-permeable media, with improved washability of adhered components and enhanced mechanical strength of the image area, balancing maintenance and drying properties effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a specific affinity between the aqueous medium and resin fine particles
Implementation Method 2
the ink component firmly adhered to the jetting port then interferes with accurate jetting
Implementation Method 3
quick drying properties on low-permeable or non-permeable recording media
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous ink composition including: an aqueous medium and resin fine particles, in which a proportion of a high-boiling solvent occupied in the aqueous medium is 3% by mass or less, and a resin constituting the resin fine particle contains constitutional units represented by General Formula (1) or (2). In the formulae, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, A1 represents -O-, -NH-, or -N(L2-Y2)-, and L1 and L2 each are represent a specific divalent group such as an alkylene group or the like. Y1 and Y2 each represent -OH, -OR2, -NH2, -NR2H, -NR2R3, -SH, -S(=O)2OM, or -OP(=O)(OM)2. R2 and R3 each represent a specific substituent, and M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal ion, or an ammonium ion.