Actinic Radiation Curable Inkjet Ink for Leakage Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actinic radiation curable inks used in inkjet methods often experience leakage of the polymerizable compound from formed dots, leading to poor image quality and difficulty in forming fine, detailed images.
Innovation Solution
An actinic radiation curable inkjet ink comprising an actinic radiation polymerizable compound, a crystalline polyester resin, and a gelling agent such as aliphatic ester-based wax, aliphatic ketone-based wax, paraffin wax, or microcrystalline wax, which is ejected heated and landed on a recording medium or intermediate transfer member at controlled temperatures, followed by irradiation with actinic radiation to suppress leakage and enhance pinning properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional actinic radiation curable inks are used, then the ink can be easily ejected and landed on the recording medium, but the polymerizable compound leaks from the formed dots leading to poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The ink composition combines multiple components with complementary functions: actinic radiation polymerizable compounds (for reactivity), crystalline polyester resin (for structure and pinning), and gelling agents like aliphatic ester-based or aliphatic ketone-based waxes (for dot confinement). This composite formulation creates synergistic effects where each component addresses specific limitations of conventional inks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies physical parameters of the ink system by controlling the gelation temperature and crystallization behavior of the polyester resin. By adjusting these parameters, the ink maintains fluidity during ejection but forms stable, non-leaking dots upon landing and curing, thereby improving image fineness without sacrificing ease of ejection.
2Ease of operation
If the ink is heated for ejection, then the ink flows smoothly through the inkjet head, but the polymerizable compound may leak more easily from the landed dot
Solution Approach 1:
The ink utilizes phase transition mechanisms where the gelling agent and crystalline polyester resin undergo gelation and crystallization upon cooling after ejection. This phase change transforms the ink from a fluid state (during heated ejection) to a semi-solid gel state (after landing), confining the polymerizable compound within the gel matrix and preventing leakage despite the heating process.
Solution Approach 2:
The gelling agent and crystalline polyester resin are pre-formulated to undergo rapid gelation immediately after the heated ink droplet lands on the recording medium. This preliminary gelation action occurs before the polymerizable compound can leak, creating a physical barrier that traps the compound in place while the dot is still being formed.
3Manufacturing precision
If the ink forms fine dots, then high-fineness images can be achieved, but the dots lack sufficient internal aggregation force leading to satellite formation
Solution Approach 1:
The crystalline polyester resin and gelling agent form a composite gel matrix that provides both fine dot formation capability and strong internal aggregation force. The crystalline structure of the polyester resin creates a rigid framework that holds the polymerizable compound firmly, preventing satellite formation while maintaining small dot size for high-fineness images.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink formulation creates different local properties within the dot: the gelling agent provides gel structure for confinement, the crystalline polyester resin provides rigid framework for aggregation, and the polymerizable compound provides reactivity. This local differentiation of functions allows fine dots to maintain sufficient internal strength without compromising fineness.
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 effectively reduces leakage of the polymerizable compound and enhances pinning properties, allowing for the formation of high-fineness images with reduced color bleeding and improved internal aggregation force, thereby stabilizing ink droplets and preventing satellite formation.
Implementation Method 1
an actinic radiation polymerizable compound which is to be cured by irradiation with actinic radiation
Implementation Method 2
the composition is increased in viscosity by cooling of the composition after coating
Data Source
AI summary
The actinic radiation curable inkjet ink of the present invention includes an actinic radiation polymerizable compound, a crystalline polyester resin, and a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic ester-based wax, aliphatic ketone-based wax, paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax. The image forming method of the present invention includes ejecting the actinic radiation curable inkjet ink heated to 40 to 120° C. through an inkjet head to land the actinic radiation curable inkjet ink ejected, onto a surface of a recording medium or an intermediate transfer member whose surface temperature is 60° C. or less, and irradiating the actinic radiation curable inkjet ink landed with actinic radiation.