Electron Beam Curable Ink Composition for Low-Migration Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording methods using electron beam curable inks face issues with migration of ink components, which is not adequately addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
An electron beam curable ink formulation containing a polymerizable monomer with a ClogP value of 2.3 or less and a surfactant content of 0.3% by mass or more, along with specific polymerizable monomers like triethylene glycol diacrylate and tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, enhances curability and suppresses migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electron beam curable inks are used, then the ink can be cured by electron beam irradiation, but the ink components undergo migration out of the ink image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting polymerizable monomers with specific ClogP values (2.3 or less) and controlling surfactant content (0.3% by mass or more). These parameter specifications optimize the balance between curability and migration resistance. The ClogP value parameter directly influences the monomer's hydrophilicity and polymerization efficiency, while the surfactant content parameter affects ink formulation stability and component retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by formulating the ink with multiple polymerizable monomers having different ClogP values and combining them with specific surfactants. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the mixture of monomers (including those with ClogP ≤ 2.3) and surfactants works together to achieve both high curability and reduced migration, rather than relying on a single component.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If polymerizable monomers with low ClogP values are used to suppress migration, then migration is reduced, but curability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by establishing the ClogP value threshold (≤ 2.3) for polymerizable monomers. This parameter optimization ensures that monomers with appropriate hydrophilicity are selected, which suppresses migration while maintaining sufficient reactivity for curability. The parameter range is carefully chosen to balance the competing requirements of migration resistance and polymerization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple polymerizable monomers with different ClogP values (all ≤ 2.3) and adding surfactants at specific concentrations. This composite formulation creates a synergistic system where the combination of monomers and surfactants achieves both migration suppression and high curability, overcoming the limitations of using individual components alone.
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 formulation provides high curability and effectively reduces the migration of ink components, ensuring better image quality and stability.
Implementation Method 1
the applied ink is cured by irradiation with actinic rays such as ultraviolet rays... the use of electron beams in place of ultraviolet rays as actinic rays for irradiation has been studied
Implementation Method 2
an electron beam curable resin that is cured by irradiation with an electron beam
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an electron beam curable ink and an image recording method. The electron beam curable ink contains a polymerizable monomer A having a ClogP value of 2.3 or less and a surfactant, and a content of the surfactant is 0.3% by mass or more relative to a total amount of the electron beam curable ink, and a content of a polymerization initiator is less than 1% by mass relative to the total amount of the electron beam curable ink.