Curable Sublimation Marking Material Transfer Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sublimation transfer processes face issues such as oxidation-reduction effects with non-solvent humectants in water-based inks, high temperature requirements, and pre-sublimation of dyes, leading to environmental pollution and inefficient image transfer.
Innovation Solution
A curable sublimation marking material comprising a curable component and sublimation colorant, suitable for use in a transfer printing method where the material is applied to a transfer substrate, cured, and then transferred to a final substrate at a lower temperature, avoiding solvent evaporation and resin transfer, using UV curable inks or toners with cross-linkable resins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based inks with non-solvent humectants are used for sublimation transfer, then environmental friendliness is improved by avoiding organic solvents, but oxidation-reduction effects occur causing image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the marking material by using curable components (such as UV-curable resins) instead of traditional water-based inks with non-solvent humectants. This allows the system to maintain environmental friendliness while avoiding oxidation-reduction effects that degrade image quality, as the curable components form stable cured images without undergoing redox reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite marking materials that combine curable components with sublimation colorants. This composite structure allows the curable component to provide stable image formation and resistance to oxidation-reduction effects, while the sublimation colorant maintains the desired sublimation properties for transfer, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and image quality stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If high temperature heating is applied to sublime the colorant, then complete transfer of image is achieved, but energy consumption increases and pre-sublimation of dyes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary curing to the marking material before the sublimation transfer process. By curing the curable component in advance (typically using UV light), the image is fixed on the transfer substrate, preventing pre-sublimation of dyes during subsequent heating. This allows the process to proceed with lower heating temperatures, reducing energy consumption while maintaining complete image transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the process by using curable components that set at lower temperatures through chemical curing rather than thermal setting. This eliminates the need for high-temperature heating to fix the image, thereby reducing energy consumption and preventing pre-sublimation, while still achieving complete colorant transfer through controlled sublimation at moderate temperatures.
3Device complexity
If conventional toner or ink is used for sublimation transfer, then the process is simple, but resin transfer occurs contaminating the final substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition properties by employing curable components that transition from a liquid or paste state (easy to apply) to a solid cured state (stable and non-transferring). The curable component forms a stable cured matrix that holds the sublimation colorant, allowing clean sublimation transfer without resin contamination, while maintaining process simplicity through direct application and curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite marking materials where the curable component forms a stable cured structure that prevents resin transfer. The curable component-sublimation colorant composite allows the curable portion to remain on the transfer substrate after curing, while only the sublimation colorant transfers to the final substrate, eliminating contamination while keeping the process simple.
4Reliability
If high temperature heating is used to fix the image on transfer substrate, then image stability is improved, but pre-sublimation of colorant occurs reducing transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary curing to fix the image on the transfer substrate before the sublimation transfer step. This preliminary fixation provides image stability without requiring high-temperature heating that would cause pre-sublimation. The cured image remains stable on the transfer substrate during handling and transfer, while the sublimation colorant transfers efficiently at moderate temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fixation mechanism from thermal setting (high temperature) to chemical curing (lower temperature, typically UV-initiated). This parameter change allows the image to be stabilized on the transfer substrate without high-temperature heating, preventing pre-sublimation of the colorant and maintaining high transfer efficiency while ensuring image stability.
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
This method enables clean, efficient transfer of sublimation colorants without resin transfer, reducing environmental impact and eliminating high-temperature requirements, while maintaining image quality and stability.
Implementation Method 1
curing the image on the transfer substrate
Implementation Method 2
heating to a second temperature which is sufficient to cause the sublimation colorant to sublime
Data Source
AI summary
A curable sublimation marking material including at least one curable component and at least one sublimation colorant. Also disclosed is a transfer printing method including applying a curable sublimation marking material in a desired pattern onto a transfer substrate to form an image on the transfer substrate at a first temperature which is below the sublimation temperature of the sublimation colorant; wherein the curable sublimation marking material comprises at least one curable component and at least one sublimation colorant; curing the image on the transfer substrate; and optionally, bringing the transfer substrate into contact with a final image-receiving substrate, optionally applying pressure, and heating to a second temperature which is sufficient to cause the sublimation colorant to sublime and form a permanent image on the final image-receiving substrate.