Active Energy Beam-Curable Ink Viscosity and Curing Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing active energy beam-curable inks for ink-jet recording systems face challenges with high viscosity, leading to unstable discharge, and when diluted, they exhibit inferior curing speed, failing to meet the requirements of adhesion and hardness of the cured film.
Innovation Solution
An active energy beam-curable ink formulation containing a photocation polymerization initiator, multifunctional epoxy compound, oxetane compound, and a specific range (33-55% by weight) of monofunctional alicyclic epoxy compound, which balances viscosity, adhesion, and hardness for stable inkjet discharge and curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the active energy beam-curable composition is used as ink for ink-jet recording system, then the curing speed is improved, but the viscosity is high causing unstable discharge from printer head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the active energy beam-curable resin by incorporating specific components (oxetane compound, alicyclic epoxy compound, cationic polymerization initiator, and photinitiator) in optimized ratios. This composition modification reduces the viscosity of the ink while maintaining its curability upon exposure to active energy beams, thereby enabling stable discharge from the inkjet printer head without sacrificing curing speed.
2Reliability
If the ink is diluted with solvent to decrease viscosity, then the discharge stability is improved, but the curing speed becomes inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for dilution solvents by formulating an ink composition that achieves appropriate viscosity through the selection and ratio of specific curable resin components. The ink consists mainly of active energy beam-curable resin components that can be adjusted to suitable viscosity levels without adding solvent, thereby maintaining both discharge stability and curing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the ink formulation by optimizing the proportions of oxetane compound, alicyclic epoxy compound, and other curable components. This parameter optimization enables the ink to achieve suitable viscosity for stable jetting while preserving the high curing speed characteristic of active energy beam-curable compositions.
3Reliability
If the viscosity is reduced for smooth jetting, then the discharge stability is improved, but the adhesion and hardness of cured film deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite formulation comprising multiple active energy beam-curable components (oxetane compound, alicyclic epoxy compound, cationic polymerization initiator, and photinitiator) in specific combinations. This composite material approach allows the ink to achieve suitable viscosity for smooth jetting while the synergistic interaction of the curable components ensures that the cured film maintains high adhesion and hardness properties.
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 achieves high hardness and adhesion of the cured film while maintaining suitable viscosity for stable inkjet discharge, addressing the limitations of previous formulations.
Implementation Method 1
an active energy beam-curable composition, which is curable by being irradiated with the active energy beam such as the ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
An active energy beam-curable ink contains an active energy beam-curable resin and a photocation polymerization initiator; wherein, as the active energy beam-curable resin, a multifunctional epoxy compound, an oxetane compound and 33 to 55% by weight of a monofunctional alicyclic epoxy compound are contained. Accordingly, it is possible to stably discharge the active energy beam-curable ink from an ink jet head, and the ink having a high hardness and high adhesion after curing is provided.