Ink Composition Dye Ratios for Printing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink compositions for ink jet recording methods face challenges in achieving high reliability, continuous printing stability, intermittent printing stability, and ozone resistance simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition is developed that includes specific dyes, such as C.I. Direct Blues 86 and 199, along with an alkylene oxide adduct of acetylene glycol and triethylene glycol alkyl ether, with precise content ratios and dynamic contact angle characteristics to enhance stability and ozone resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ink compositions are used, then basic printing function is achieved, but initial filling properties and continuous printing stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink composition by specifying precise content ratios of dye (C-1) to dye (C-2) (7:3 to 9.5:0.5) and controlling absolute dye content (2.0 to 5.0 mass%). It also specifies particular surfactant types and their content ranges (0.5 to 5.0 mass% for polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, 1 to 20 mass% for triethylene glycol alkyl ether), which optimizes the ink's flow properties and compatibility with printer components, thereby improving both initial filling and continuous printing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation by combining two specific dyes (C-1 and C-2) with defined chemical structures, along with multiple surfactant types (alkylene oxide adducts of acetylene glycols, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, and triethylene glycol alkyl ethers). This composite approach synergistically improves reliability and productivity properties that cannot be achieved with single components.
2Reliability
If conventional ink compositions are used, then basic printing function is achieved, but (intermittent) printing stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes composition stability by controlling the total dye content within 2.0 to 5.0 mass% and specifying precise ratios between dye components. It also controls surfactant content ranges (polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether: 0.5 to 5.0 mass%, triethylene glycol alkyl ether: 1 to 20 mass%), ensuring the ink maintains consistent properties during intermittent storage and use, thereby improving both intermittent printing stability and composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous effectiveness of the ink composition during intermittent periods by selecting surfactants with appropriate HLB values and molecular structures that prevent precipitation or degradation over time. The specified surfactant combinations maintain ink homogeneity and prevent nozzle clogging during storage intervals, ensuring stable performance when printing resumes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ink compositions are used, then basic printing function is achieved, but ozone resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves ozone resistance by selecting dyes with specific chemical structures (phthalocyanine and azo dyes with particular substitution patterns) and controlling their oxidation susceptibility. The defined content ratios and the addition of antioxidant surfactants create a formulation that resists ozone-induced fading and degradation, while maintaining overall print quality and color fastness.
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 achieves improved initial filling properties, continuous printing stability, and ozone resistance, reducing dye aggregation in the printer head nozzles and maintaining print density and ozone resistance performance.
Implementation Method 1
an alkylene oxide adduct of an acetylene glycol having a main chain of 12 or more carbon atoms; an acetylene glycol having a main chain of 10 or more carbon atoms; and a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether
Implementation Method 2
the dynamic contact angle of the composition to a silicon wafer may be 24° or lower at 100 msec after dropping, and may be 9° or lower at 5,100 msec after dropping
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an ink composition including: a predetermined dye (C-1); a dye (C-2) containing at least one of C.I. Direct Blues 86 and 199; an alkylene oxide adduct of an acetylene glycol having a main chain of 12 or more carbon atoms; an acetylene glycol having a main chain of 10 or more carbon atoms; and a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, in which the content ratio A of the dye (C-1) and the dye (C-2) (the dye (C-1):the dye (C-2)) is 7:3 to 9.5:0.5, and the content of the dye (C-1) is 2.0 mass% to 5.0 mass%.