Ink Composition for Industrial Ink-Jet Chromogenic Properties
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial ink-jet inks face challenges in achieving favorable chromogenic properties, scratch resistance, and washability, particularly when used on non-absorbable recording media, leading to issues like nozzle clogging and image quality deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition containing a water-insoluble colorant, a dispersant, and a polymer resin with specific monomer combinations and a reactive emulsifier, which includes an anion-type reactive emulsifier with a sulfuric acid ester group, is formulated to enhance chromogenic properties, scratch resistance, and washability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water-insoluble colorant is used in industrial ink-jet ink, then robustness is improved, but chromogenic properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the colorant system by introducing a coupling agent that chemically bridges the water-insoluble colorant particles, enabling them to maintain robustness while improving chromogenic properties through enhanced light scattering and absorption characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining water-insoluble colorant particles, coupling agents, and water-soluble components, where the composite structure allows the colorant to exhibit both robustness and improved chromogenic properties through synergistic effects
2Strength
If an aqueous ink with high solid content is used for printing on non-absorbable recording medium, then fixability and scratch resistance are improved, but drying occurs causing solid material generation and nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the viscosity and composition parameters of the aqueous ink by incorporating specific surfactants and plasticizers, allowing the ink to maintain high solid content for scratch resistance while preventing excessive drying and solid material generation that causes nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances such as surfactants and plasticizers that act as mediators between the water-insoluble colorant and the aqueous medium, enabling stable dispersion and preventing aggregation that leads to nozzle clogging while maintaining film-forming properties
3Strength
If a coating film is formed by solid material for enhancements in fixability, then scratch resistance is improved, but washability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition and molecular weight parameters of the polymer components in the coating film, creating a film structure that provides adequate fixability and scratch resistance while maintaining sufficient washability through controlled cross-linking and polymer chain mobility
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 achieves superior chromogenic properties, excellent scratch resistance, and effective washability, preventing nozzle clogging and ensuring stable ink ejection, even on non-absorbable media.
Implementation Method 1
a coating film is formed by such a solid material, which results in enhancements in fixability and scratch resistance to the recording medium
Implementation Method 2
Such an aqueous ink contains a water-insoluble colorant and a dispersant
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink which comprises a water-insoluble colorant, a dispersant, a polymer resin, and water, wherein the polymer resin is one obtained from: four monomers which are methacrylic acid and three monomers selected respectively from among C1- to C4-alkyl methacrylates, C6- to C10-alkyl acrylates, and unsaturated C2- to C4-alkyl methacrylates; and a reactive emulsifier having a radical-polymerizable double bond in the molecule. Also provided are: an ink-jet recording method in which the ink is used; a recording medium to which the ink has been adhered; and an ink-jet printer including a vessel filled with the ink.