Diacetone Acrylamide Ink Formulation for Fast Curing and Low Tack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital printing inks face challenges with slow cure speeds, poor adhesion to plastics, and high surface tack, while also containing odiferous and toxic components like N-vinyl caprolactam and N-vinyl pyrrolidone, which are being restricted due to toxicity and odor concerns.
Innovation Solution
The development of digital printing inks using diacetone acrylamide as a primary acrylamide monomer, which offers fast curing, low surface tack, and good adhesion properties without the use of N-vinyl caprolactam or N-vinyl pyrrolidone, along with other acrylamides and monofunctional acrylate monomers, to create a tack-free and block-resistant ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multifunctional monomers are used to achieve fast cure speed, then cure speed is improved, but flexibility and adhesion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monomer system into multiple monofunctional monomers (including N-vinyl caprolactam or N-vinyl pyrrolidone and at least one other monofunctional monomer) rather than using single multifunctional monomers. This segmentation allows each monomer to contribute specific properties: N-vinyl caprolactam/pyrrolidone provides fast cure speed and blocking resistance, while other monofunctional monomers maintain flexibility and adhesion to plastics, avoiding the cracking and ink removal problems caused by multifunctional monomers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite monomer system combining N-vinyl caprolactam or N-vinyl pyrrolidone with other monofunctional monomers (such as cycloaliphatic acrylates, aromatic acrylates, or aliphatic acrylates). This composite approach allows the ink to exhibit multiple properties simultaneously: fast curing from N-vinyl compounds, good adhesion from the monofunctional monomer blend, and flexibility to prevent cracking upon substrate deformation.
2Shape
If monofunctional monomers are used to achieve flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but cure speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges monofunctional monomers with different functional characteristics into a single ink formulation. Specifically, it combines N-vinyl caprolactam or N-vinyl pyrrolidone (which provide fast cure speed and blocking resistance) with other monofunctional monomers (such as cycloaliphatic acrylates for flexibility or aromatic acrylates for adhesion). This merging allows the ink to achieve both flexibility and fast cure speed simultaneously, overcoming the limitation of using monofunctional monomers alone.
3Productivity
If N-vinyl caprolactam or N-vinyl pyrrolidone are used to achieve fast cure and blocking resistance, then cure speed and blocking resistance are improved, but toxicity and odor worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by formulating inks with controlled amounts of N-vinyl caprolactam or N-vinyl pyrrolidone (1-50 wt%) combined with other monofunctional monomers (50-99 wt%). This parameter change allows the ink to achieve fast cure speed and blocking resistance while reducing overall toxicity by diluting the toxic components with safer monofunctional monomers, thus improving the safety profile while maintaining performance.
4Strength
If difunctional or trifunctional acrylate monomers are added to improve adhesion, then adhesion is improved, but surface tack increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only monofunctional monomers rather than fully incorporating difunctional or trifunctional acrylate monomers. This partial approach maintains the benefits of fast cure and blocking resistance from N-vinyl caprolactam or N-vinyl pyrrolidone while avoiding the excessive crosslinking that would increase surface tack and reduce flexibility. The monofunctional monomer system provides sufficient adhesion without the harmful side effects of higher functionality monomers.
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 inkjet inks with diacetone acrylamide demonstrate rapid curing, low odor, and excellent adhesion, replacing the need for toxic compounds like N-vinyl caprolactam, while maintaining flexibility and adhesion properties, thus addressing the limitations of existing inks.
Implementation Method 1
UV or visible light curable inks
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides digital printing inks comprising one or more acrylamides. Particularly preferred are inks containing diacetone acrylamide. The inks of the invention show good cure speed, blocking resistance, tack free cure, stability and resistance to blocking, and adhesion to the substrate. The inks of the invention are useful for replacing the currently used inks containing odiferous and toxic components.