Bio-based Screen Printing Formulation for Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The apparel industry faces a need for eco-friendly heat transfer materials as traditional screen printing inks are non-renewable and non-eco-friendly, requiring a sustainable alternative that maintains performance comparable to petroleum-based heat transfer products.
Innovation Solution
A bio-based screen printing formulation using a pre-polymer resin with specific molecular weight, nanofillers, dyes, amines, plasticizers, solvents, and crosslinkers, which are synthesized and processed under mild conditions to create a heat transfer laminate with high bio-based content, allowing for efficient and sustainable production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional petroleum-based screen printing ink is used, then good printability and curing performance are achieved, but environmental friendliness and sustainability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing petroleum-based polymers with bio-based pre-polymer resins having specific molecular weights (5,000-50,000 g/mol), and modifies the curing mechanism by using different crosslinking agents and conditions to achieve both environmental sustainability and reliable curing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite formulation combining bio-based pre-polymer resin with nanofillers (0.1-10 wt%), crosslinkers (1-20 wt%), and various additives to achieve the desired balance between environmental friendliness and technical performance, including printability and durability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bio-based pre-polymer resin is used with high molecular weight, then sustainability is improved, but printability and curing performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the bio-based pre-polymer resin to a specific range (5,000-50,000 g/mol, preferably 10,000-30,000 g/mol) to achieve the right balance between sustainability and printability, ensuring the formulation remains workable while maintaining high bio-based content
3Strength
If high concentration of crosslinker is used, then tensile strength is improved, but processing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the crosslinker concentration parameter to a specific range (1-20 wt% of total formulation) and selects crosslinkers that can achieve effective curing at lower concentrations, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining adequate tensile strength for heat transfer applications
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 bio-based screen printing formulation achieves comparable performance to traditional heat transfer products while promoting sustainability, with enhanced tensile strength and durability, meeting industry standards for garment decoration.
Implementation Method 1
The screen printing formulation includes a bio-based pre-polymer resin... at least one crosslinker... The bio-based content in the bio-based screen printing formulation is equivalent to the bio-based content in the cured bio-based screen printing formulation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a screen printing formulation a method of processing a heat transfer with the screen printing formulation for use in garment industry. The raw materials of the screen printing formulation are derived from renewable plant-based resources. It can be printed and cured by adopting current heat transfer processing technology with comparably short curing time of 0.5 hour. The cured screen printing formulation contains bio-based content as high as 93% with strength and elasticity comparable with typical TPU counterparts. The bio-based heat transfer can perform comparable performance comparing with fossil-based polyurethane and silicone heat transfer. Moreover, when applying the bio-based heat transfer on garments or fabrics, it is able to adhere firmly without peel off, cracking, shrinkage, wrinkle and color migration even after repeated laundry wash and dry, fulfilling quality standard tests of garment industry.