Active-Energy-Ray-Curable Inkjet Composition for Untreated PET Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active-energy-ray-curable inkjet inks face challenges with high viscosity due to polymer components, difficulty in achieving low viscosity for inkjet ejection, and skin sensitization issues with monomer materials, particularly with polyethylene terephthalate substrates that are not surface-treated, while also requiring energy-efficient drying processes.
Innovation Solution
An active-energy-ray-curable composition comprising monofunctional (meth)acrylate, multifunctional (meth)acrylate, and polyester-structure-containing polymer, with specific ratios and components selected to maintain low viscosity for inkjet ejection, reduce skin sensitization, and ensure excellent adhesiveness to untreated polyethylene terephthalate substrates, using monomers like t-butyl methacrylate and glycerol dimethacrylate, and incorporating a polymerization inhibitor to prevent premature curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polymer components are incorporated in black ink composition, then close adhesiveness to substrates is improved, but viscosity increases making inkjet ejection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by selecting specific polyester-structure-containing polymers with controlled molecular weights (1,000-100,000) and specific functional groups, and by optimizing their content ratio (5-50 mass%) relative to total polymerizable compounds. This allows achieving adequate adhesiveness while maintaining low enough viscosity for inkjet ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining multiple types of polymerizable compounds including (meth)acrylic acid esters, vinyl esters, and polyester-structure-containing polymers in specific ratios. This composite composition allows balancing the conflicting requirements of adhesiveness and viscosity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If monomer materials are used to achieve low viscosity, then inkjet ejection is enabled, but skin sensitization problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting specific monofunctional (meth)acrylates with lower skin sensitization potential and controlling their molecular structure. By optimizing the type and ratio of monomers, the patent achieves low viscosity for inkjet ejection while reducing skin sensitization risks.
3Strength
If surface treatment is applied to polyethylene terephthalate substrates, then close adhesiveness is improved, but process complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the ink composition to self-adhere to untreated polyethylene terephthalate substrates by incorporating polyester-structure-containing polymers that are chemically compatible with the substrate surface. This eliminates the need for external surface treatment processes, reducing process complexity and energy consumption while maintaining good adhesiveness.
4Strength
If polymer components are incorporated to ensure close adhesiveness, then adhesion to smooth plastic substrates is improved, but viscosity increases affecting ejection performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameters of the polyester-structure-containing polymer (1,000-100,000) and controls its content ratio (5-50 mass%) to achieve the right balance between adhesiveness and ejection performance. Lower molecular weights improve ejection while sufficient molecular weight maintains adhesiveness.
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 low viscosity for inkjet ejection, prevents skin sensitization, and provides excellent adhesiveness to untreated polyethylene terephthalate substrates, enabling efficient and energy-saving printing processes without the need for surface treatment or solvents, while maintaining effective curing properties.
Implementation Method 1
active-energy-ray-curable composition
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a polymerization inhibitor to prevent premature curing
Data Source
AI summary
An active-energy-ray-curable composition including at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate, at least one multifunctional (meth)acrylate, and at least one polyester-structure-containing polymer. Preferable is an aspect where the active-energy-ray-curable composition further includes a polymer obtained through polymerization of at least one selected from the group consisting of styrene, styrene derivatives, acrylic acid esters, and acrylic acid.