Active Energy Ray-Curable Inkjet Ink Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active energy ray-curable inkjet inks face challenges in achieving high curability, discharge stability, and adhesion to various base materials, particularly due to limitations in viscosity adjustment and the use of organic solvents which affect drying costs and printing speed.
Innovation Solution
The use of a specific organic solvent with a boiling point between 140°C to 300°C, combined with 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate and a pigment, such as carbon black or organic pigments, in a controlled weight percentage to enhance curability, discharge stability, and adhesion to diverse base materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low viscosity monomers are used to achieve smooth ink discharge from the inkjet head, then discharge stability is improved, but skin irritancy increases and the types and amounts of usable monomers are extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high boiling point organic solvents (boiling point 150°C or higher) as intermediary substances to adjust ink viscosity. These solvents enable smooth ink discharge without requiring low viscosity monomers, thus avoiding skin irritancy while maintaining discharge stability. The solvent acts as a mediator between the monomer and the discharge requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the organic solvent, specifically selecting solvents with boiling points of 150°C or higher. This parameter change allows the ink to achieve appropriate viscosity for discharge stability without relying on low viscosity monomers that cause skin irritancy. The boiling point parameter is used as a key selection criterion for the solvent.
2Productivity
If organic solvents are added to reduce ink viscosity for high-speed printing, then discharge stability is improved, but drying cost increases due to the need for heating to evaporate the solvent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects organic solvents with specifically high boiling points (150°C or higher) to change the evaporation characteristics. This parameter selection allows the solvent to remain in the ink during high-speed printing for discharge stability, but evaporates naturally after printing without requiring additional heating energy, thus reducing drying costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The high boiling point organic solvent provides dual functionality: it maintains ink viscosity for smooth discharge during printing, and then self-evaporates after printing without requiring external heating. The solvent serves both the discharge stability requirement and the drying requirement automatically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the same ink formulation is used for various base materials to achieve versatility, then adaptability is improved, but printing quality varies across different base material types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal ink formulation containing specific high boiling point organic solvents that can be applied to various base materials including coated paper and films. The solvent system provides consistent performance across different substrates, enabling the same ink to achieve acceptable printing quality on diverse materials without requiring material-specific formulations.
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 provides an active energy ray-curable inkjet ink with excellent curability, high discharge stability, and strong adhesion to various base materials, improving printing quality and efficiency while reducing solvent volatility and drying costs.
Implementation Method 1
the ink is preferably designed to have an optimum low viscosity range, thereby smoothly discharging the ink from the inkjet head. Therefore, the ink is generally designed using a low viscosity monomer.
Implementation Method 2
active energy ray-curable inkjet ink having very high curability and discharge stability
Data Source
AI summary
An active energy ray-curable inkjet ink comprising an organic solvent having a boiling point of 140°C to 300°C, and a polymerizable monomer containing 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate, wherein a content of the organic solvent is from 0.1 to 10% by weight with reference to the total weight of the ink, is provided. The ink has extremely high curability and discharge stability, and excellent adhesion to various base materials.