Formaldehyde-Free Inkjet Composition for Durable Textile Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet printing technologies face challenges in producing long-lasting, durable, and formaldehyde-free color images on various substrates, particularly textiles, due to the use of harmful crosslinking agents that emit formaldehyde during the polymerization process, which is not compliant with safety standards like Öko-Tex Standard 100.
Innovation Solution
The development of a formaldehyde-free inkjet printing process using a wetting composition and a liquid ink composition that includes a colorant, a co-polymerizable agent, and a formaldehyde-free crosslinking agent, such as heteroaryl polycarbamate, carbodiimide, or diacetone acrylamide/hydrazine, which promotes adhesion to the substrate without emitting formaldehyde, suitable for absorptive and non-absorptive substrates of all colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional crosslinking agents are used in inkjet compositions to achieve durable and affixed films on substrates, then film durability and adhesion are improved, but formaldehyde emission occurs during polymerization which violates safety standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes formaldehyde from the inkjet composition by replacing conventional crosslinking agents that generate formaldehyde during polymerization with alternative crosslinking mechanisms. The composition uses crosslinking agents such as carboxylic acid-functional polymers combined with metal salt crosslinkers, or isocyanate-crosslinked polymers, which achieve durable film formation without formaldehyde emission, thus extracting the harmful substance while maintaining film durability.
2Reliability
If polymerizable ink compositions are used to achieve long-lasting and abrasion-resistant color images, then image durability is improved, but the use of harmful crosslinking agents reduces compliance with safety standards like Öko-Tex Standard 100
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the inkjet composition by substituting harmful crosslinking agents with safe alternatives. The composition employs crosslinking agents that do not violate Öko-Tex Standard 100, such as using carboxylic acid-functional polymers with metal salt crosslinkers or isocyanate-crosslinked polymers, thereby maintaining image durability while improving chemical safety compliance.
3Strength
If crosslinking agents are used during polymerization to ensure good film affixation to substrate, then adhesion strength is improved, but the polymerization process generates formaldehyde as a by-product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary substances that enable crosslinking without formaldehyde generation. Instead of using conventional crosslinking agents that produce formaldehyde, the composition uses carboxylic acid-functional polymers that react with metal salt crosslinkers, or isocyanate-crosslinked polymers, where the intermediary crosslinking mechanism achieves strong adhesion without generating harmful formaldehyde by-products.
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 process achieves high-resolution, durable, and formaldehyde-free color images that comply with strict safety standards, ensuring the printed products are safe for use, especially on garments intended for infants, without the emission of harmful formaldehyde during or after the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
the wetting composition is capable of interfering with the engagement of a liquid ink composition with material, such that when applying the liquid ink composition on the wetted surface, the ink is kept from smearing and absorbing in the material
Implementation Method 2
Polymerizable ink compositions typically comprise a colorant dispersed in a polymerizable dispersant, mostly acrylic and urethane. These polymerizable ink compositions are generally applied on the substrate and then undergo curing to form a film
Implementation Method 3
Good film affixation to the substrate is typically afforded during the polymerization reaction (initiation, setting and curing) by use of crosslinking agents
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a process for inkjet printing color images on various substrates using a formaldehyde-free crosslinking agent in the ink composition, which is therefore devoid of formaldehyde emission and suitable for health-aware manufacturing practices, as well as objects having images and designs printed thereon which are devoid of formaldehyde and therefore suitable for use by infants.