Ceramic Printing Ink Composition Antibacterial Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceramic printing ink compositions face challenges in adhering stably to ceramic coating layers, leading to unclear patterns and increased manufacturing complexity and cost, especially when trying to incorporate antibacterial properties.

Innovation Solution

A ceramic printing ink composition is developed, comprising deionized water, propylene glycol, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, isopropyl alcohol, a dispersing agent, pigment, rheology modifier, and an aqueous antibacterial composition containing silica nanotubes with silver nanoparticles, which enhances bonding and adhesion when printed between or on ceramic coating layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If liquid ink is printed on ceramic coating layer before curing, then printing can be performed, but the ink spreads and patterns become unclear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting operationVSAvoidpattern clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ink is applied to the ceramic coating layer before the coating is fully cured, taking advantage of the semi-cured state which provides better ink retention. The coating is allowed to reach a specific curing stage where it has sufficient structure to hold the ink but remains reactive enough to bond with the ink components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If liquid ink is printed on cured ceramic coating layer, then pattern clarity is maintained, but the printed patterns peel off due to weak adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern clarityVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation of the ink is modified to include specific solvents and adhesion promoters that enhance bonding to the cured ceramic surface. The ink composition is adjusted to optimize wetting properties and chemical interaction with the ceramic coating, thereby improving adhesion strength while maintaining pattern clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If ceramic coating layer is cured at high temperature, then coating performance is improved, but ink adhesion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating performanceVSAvoidink adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The ink is applied to the ceramic coating layer before the final high-temperature curing cycle, allowing the ink to bond to the coating during the curing process itself. This ensures that the ink and coating are simultaneously cured together, creating a strong integrated bond while maintaining the high-performance characteristics of the cured coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional manufacturing process is used, then production is simple, but antibacterial function is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbacterial contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antibacterial agent is incorporated directly into the ink formulation, combining the printing function with the antibacterial function in a single step. This allows the pattern to be printed while simultaneously imparting antibacterial properties to the ceramic coating, eliminating the need for separate antibacterial treatment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Manufacturing precision

If ceramic coating layer is cut away for engraving, then patterns can be created, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern creationVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical engraving process is replaced with a printing process using the developed ink composition. Instead of physically cutting or engraving the ceramic coating, patterns are applied through printing methods, which is simpler, less costly, and maintains the integrity of the ceramic coating layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 achieves stable and easy pattern printing with improved adhesion and antibacterial properties, maintaining the physical integrity of the ceramic coating layer and ensuring storage stability and workability.

Implementation Method 1

the used ink itself is not suitable for the ceramic coating layer, and thus a pattern is not printed properly on the ceramic coating layer. Furthermore, as an interest is currently increasingly focusing on environment and hygiene, the consumption of various kinds of antibacterial kitchenware is increasing. Therefore, there is a need for an antibacterial function for such a ceramic printing ink composition.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibacterial function of silver nanoparticles:

Implementation Method 2

heated and cured simultaneously with the coating layers so that bonding and adhesive strength of the ceramic printing ink composition is enhanced to enable pattern printing to be more stably and easily performed on the ceramic coating layer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10640663B2Ceramic printing ink composition having antibacterial function
Publication Date: 2020.05.05 THERMOLON KOREA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a ceramic printing ink composition having antibacterial function, and more particularly to a ceramic printing ink composition which is prepared by mixing deionized water, propylene glycol, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PMA) solvent, propylene glycol methyl ether (PM) solvent, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a dispersing agent, a pigment. In a process of printing a pattern using the ceramic printing ink composition, the pattern is printed between or on ceramic coating layers by pad, screen or stamp printing. More specifically, ceramic coating (sol-gel) layers (1-coat, 2-coat, 3-coat, etc.) are formed and set-to-touch, after which the ceramic printing ink composition is coated on the coating layer and heated and cured simultaneously with the coating layers. Thus, bonding and adhesive strength of the ceramic printing ink composition is enhanced to enable printing to be more stably and easily performed on the ceramic coating layer.