Ink Composition for PVC Substrates via Vinyl-Penetrating Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous-based inkjet inks face challenges when printing on non-porous substrates like polyvinyl chloride, including long dry time and poor durability, smudgefastness, colorfastness, waterfastness, abrasion resistance, and weather resistance, as they do not absorb well on non-absorbing surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An organic solvent-based inkjet ink composition is developed, using a vinyl-penetrating solvent, colorant, and non-aqueous carrier solvent, without polymerizable resins or binders, which penetrates the substrate to reduce dry time and enhance durability, incorporating a surface active agent like polyester-modified silicone for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If aqueous-based inkjet ink is used on non-porous substrate, then the ink can be printed, but the dry time is long and durability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by using a non-aqueous carrier solvent system (comprising carbonyl compounds, esters, and/or ketones) instead of traditional aqueous-based solvents. This parameter change enables the ink to penetrate non-porous substrates effectively, reducing dry time from hours to minutes while simultaneously improving durability through better adhesion and resistance to smudging, rubbing, and weathering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite solvent system combining multiple components: carbonyl compounds (e.g., methyl ethyl ketone), esters (e.g., ethyl acetate), and optionally ketones (e.g., cyclohexanone). This composite material approach creates synergistic effects where each component contributes to different aspects of performance - penetration, drying speed, and durability - resolving the contradiction between fast drying and long-lasting adhesion on non-porous surfaces.
2Productivity
If aqueous-based ink is used on non-absorbent surface, then printing is possible, but absorption is insufficient leading to poor drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the solvent parameters from aqueous to non-aqueous composition, specifically using carbonyl compounds, esters, and ketones. These chemical parameter changes give the ink properties that enable it to interact with non-absorbent surfaces through penetration and evaporation rather than absorption, dramatically improving drying efficiency while maintaining adequate substance transfer to the substrate.
3Loss of time
If solvent-based or UV-curable inks are used to overcome drying issues, then drying time is reduced, but achieving desired durability remains challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a carefully formulated composite solvent system combining carbonyl compounds (for penetration and medium drying), esters (for volatility control and finish quality), and optionally ketones (for enhanced substrate interaction). This composite approach achieves both rapid drying and superior durability without requiring UV curing or harsh solvents, outperforming conventional solvent-based or UV-curable inks in terms of both speed and long-term reliability.
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 significantly reduces dry time and increases durability, including smearfastness, rub resistance, and solvent resistance, maintaining performance even with up to 10% water content, while avoiding interference from polymerizable resins.
Implementation Method 1
The dry time and durability improvements are specifically manifested as at least one of: decreased dry time, increased smearfastness, increased rub resistance, increased smudgefastness, increased solvent resistance, increased colorfastness, decreased drying time, etc. This decreased dry time and increased durability can be achieved by the penetration of vinyl-penetrating solvent in the ink into the substrate material.
Implementation Method 2
The ink may also include surface active agent such as polyester-modified silicone or polyether-modified silicone.
Implementation Method 3
An organic solvent-based inkjet ink composition is developed, using a vinyl-penetrating solvent, colorant, and non-aqueous carrier solvent
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed an ink composition and a method of printing and using ink on substrate material comprising polyvinyl chloride with thermal inkjet, drop on demand piezo inkjet, or continuous inkjet by depositing ink comprising vinyl-penetrating solvent, colorant and non-aqueous carrier solvent, the ink being free from polymerizable resins and binders.