Energy Beam-Curing Inkjet Ink Composition for Stretchable Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy ray-curable inkjet inks used for marking films and three-dimensional steric display members lack stretchability, leading to cracking and peeling when the printed films are stretched, and they require long drying times and solvent recovery systems, which are environmentally unfriendly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition with specific ratios of monofunctional monomers and reactive oligomers, including those with one or two ethylenic double bonds, combined with photopolymerization initiators and a surface tension modifier, to form a film with improved stretchability, solvent resistance, and adherence, suitable for low-energy curing and inkjet printing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If energy ray-curable inkjet ink with high curability is used, then curability and drying speed are improved, but the printed film loses stretchability and becomes prone to cracking and peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymerizable compounds by selecting specific monomers (ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate, ethyl 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate) and oligomers with controlled functional groups and molecular weights to achieve optimal balance between curability and stretchability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite polymerizable compounds comprising both monomers and oligomers with different molecular weights and functional group counts, creating a composite material system that provides both rapid curing and maintained stretchability after curing
2Reliability
If conventional energy ray-curable inkjet ink is used, then curability is improved, but the printed film cannot withstand stretching and exhibits cracking and peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of the polymerizable compounds by selecting specific monomers and oligomers with controlled functional group counts (1-3 groups per molecule) and molecular weights to maintain film integrity during stretching while ensuring curability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of multiple polymerizable compounds with different characteristics (monomers and oligomers in specific ratios) to achieve both curability and resistance to cracking/peeling during stretching operations
3Strength
If aqueous inkjet ink is used, then viscosity is low and stretchability is maintained, but water resistance and image formation on non-water-absorptive substrates are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the aqueous solvent system with an organic solvent system (alcohol-based) that provides both low viscosity for inkjet dispensing and inherent water resistance, eliminating the need for water-based formulations while maintaining stretchability
4Reliability
If solvent inkjet ink is used, then water resistance and substrate adherence are improved, but drying time increases and environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition property of alcohol-based solvents that allow for rapid evaporation at room temperature or with mild heating, enabling quick drying without the long drying times associated with conventional solvent inks, while maintaining water resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solvent composition parameters to use alcohol-based solvents with specific volatility characteristics that enable faster evaporation rates compared to conventional solvent inks, reducing drying time while maintaining environmental compatibility
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 composition prevents cracking and peeling when stretched, provides excellent solvent resistance, and maintains good adherence and curability even with low-energy irradiation, while maintaining suitable viscosity and surface tension for continuous discharge in inkjet printing.
Implementation Method 1
Since such an energy ray-curable inkjet ink generates radicals by the irradiation of an energy ray, and induces polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
An energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition comprising polymerizable compounds containing a monofunctional monomer, (A) a reactive oligomer having a rate of elongation of 130 % or more and a weight average molecular weight of not less than 800 and less than 3,000 and (B) a reactive oligomer having a rate of elongation of 130 % or more and a weight average molecular weight of not less than 3,000 and not more than 8,000, provided that one of the reactive oligomers (A) and (B) is not more than difunctional and the other is not less than difunctional, at least one polymerization initiator selected from the group consisting of (C) an acylphosphine oxide initiator and (D) an α-aminoalkylphenone initiator, a surface tension modifier, and a colorant.