Active-Energy-Ray-Curable Ink for UV-LED Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active-energy-ray-curable inks face challenges in achieving high printing density and curing ability, particularly with black pigments, due to absorbance issues and pigment properties, which affect their adhesiveness and performance under different light sources.
Innovation Solution
An active-energy-ray-curable composition is developed with specific absorbance ratios and optimized formulations, including carbon black with controlled particle size and treatment, and polymer dispersants, to enhance printing density, curing ability, and adhesiveness, specifically tailored for UV-LED curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If black pigment is used to achieve high printing density, then printing density is improved, but curing ability deteriorates due to high ultraviolet absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the pigment by controlling particle size (0.01-1 μm) and surface properties (oxidation treatment at pH 3.5 or less), which modifies the absorbance characteristics to achieve both high printing density and good curing ability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oxidized carbon black as a composite material that combines the high absorbance properties needed for printing density with reduced ultraviolet absorption through surface oxidation, enabling simultaneous achievement of dense printing and effective curing
2Reliability
If pigment with low ultraviolet absorbance is used to improve curing ability, then curing ability is improved, but printing density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter to 0.01-1 μm and applies oxidation treatment at pH 3.5 or less, which changes the optical properties to reduce ultraviolet absorbance while maintaining visible light absorbance for printing density
3Illumination intensity
If conventional carbon black is used to achieve high printing density, then printing density is improved, but close adhesiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies strong oxidation treatment at pH 3.5 or less to the carbon black surface, which introduces oxygen-containing functional groups that enhance adhesion to the substrate while preserving the high printing density through controlled particle size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the particle size parameter within 0.01-1 μm and applies oxidation treatment, which changes the surface chemistry and physical properties to improve close adhesiveness while maintaining printing density
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 achieves high printing density, improved curing ability, and close adhesiveness, optimizing performance with UV-LED light sources while maintaining inkjet applicability and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a polymerization initiator; wherein the active-energy-ray-curable composition is cured by binding the monomers in the ink using several kinds of photopolymerizable initiator each having different absorption wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a pigment in the ink absorbs the ultraviolet rays, and thus the black pigment excellent in curing ability is particularly difficult to obtain
Data Source
AI summary
An active-energy-ray-curable composition, which satisfies the following relationships of absorbance: a ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 400 nm to absorbance at a wavelength of 750 nm is 1.4 or more but 1.6 or less; and a ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 365 nm to absorbance at a wavelength of 500 nm is 1.2 or less.