Curable Liquid Composition Reducing Skin Sensitization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Photopolymerizable compositions and inkjet inks face challenges with skin sensitization and odor issues, particularly due to the use of acrylic acid ester compounds, which cause skin irritation and unpleasant smells during handling before polymerization, and methacrylic acid ester compounds, which produce odors after polymerization.
Innovation Solution
A curable liquid composition is developed using a monomer with an SI value of less than 3.0 and a photopolymerization initiator with a weight average molecular weight of 500 or greater, minimizing skin sensitization and odor production during and after curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acrylic acid ester compounds are used as the major component of photopolymerizable compositions and inkjet inks, then good curability and adhesion properties are achieved, but skin sensitization problems occur such as skin swelling and itchy skin when the compounds touch skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the photopolymerization initiator to 500 or greater, which fundamentally alters the polymerization mechanism to produce higher molecular weight polymers that do not cause skin sensitization, while maintaining good curability and adhesion properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specific type of photopolymerization initiator (with molecular weight 500 or greater) as an intermediary substance that mediates the polymerization process to produce non-sensitizing polymers, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the beneficial curability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If methacrylic acid ester compounds are used as a substitute of acrylic acid ester compounds to improve skin sensitization, then skin sensitization problems are cleared, but peculiar smell is produced immediately after polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the photopolymerization initiator to 500 or greater, which alters the polymerization mechanism to avoid producing low molecular weight byproducts that cause odor, while achieving both non-sensitization and low odor properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of using methacrylic acid esters (odor production) into a benefit by using a high molecular weight photopolymerization initiator that suppresses byproduct formation, thereby achieving both non-sensitization and low odor through a different mechanistic approach
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water or organic solvent is used for photopolymerizable compositions and inkjet inks, then handling safety is improved, but heat sources are required to evaporate the solvent which is not preferable in terms of energy saving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the solvent component (water or organic solvent) from the composition system, creating a solvent-free formulation that requires no evaporation step, thereby eliminating energy consumption for solvent removal while maintaining handling safety through the use of low volatility components
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 composition effectively reduces skin sensitization and odor issues, providing a safer and more worker-friendly solution for handling and use, while maintaining good curability and adhesion properties.
Implementation Method 1
when polymerized by appropriate light irradiation, acrylic acid ester compounds have a higher molecular weight
Data Source
AI summary
A curable liquid composition includes a monomer having an SI value of less than 3.0 and a photopolymerization initiator having a weight average molecular weight of 500 or greater, wherein the curable liquid composition is negative in skin sensitization.