Ink Composition Resin Reactive Emulsifier Fixation Gloss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pigment-based ink compositions for ink jet recording often lack sufficient fixation and lightfastness, and while they excel in lightfastness and gasfastness, there is a demand for further improvement in glossiness and ozonefastness, with existing solutions not adequately addressing these requirements.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition comprising a resin produced by emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a reactive emulsifier containing a hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and radical reactive group, combined with water and a pigment, which enhances fixation, lightfastness, and gasfastness while achieving a glossy impression comparable to silver salt photographs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pigment-based ink composition is used, then lightfastness and gasfastness are improved, but fixation and glossiness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite resin system combining polyurethane resin and acrylic resin in specific proportions (polyurethane resin 1-50 wt%, acrylic resin 50-99 wt%). This composite material approach allows the ink composition to simultaneously achieve good fixation (adhesion to recording medium) and glossiness while maintaining the lightfastness and gasfastness provided by the pigment-based system.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional resin is added to improve fixation, then fixation is improved, but glossiness and ozonefastness are not sufficiently improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the resin components: polyurethane resin content of 1-50 wt% and acrylic resin content of 50-99 wt%. Additionally, the polyurethane resin must have specific functional groups (isocyanate, hydroxyl, or carboxyl groups) with controlled equivalent weights. These parameter controls ensure that the resin provides adequate fixation while maintaining or improving glossiness and ozonefastness.
3Manufacturing precision
If more resin is added to improve glossiness, then glossiness is improved, but fixation and lightfastness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimal resin content range of 1-50 wt% polyurethane resin and 50-99 wt% acrylic resin in the total resin composition. This controlled parameter range prevents excessive resin from compromising lightfastness while achieving sufficient glossiness. The balanced composition ensures that the resin enhances surface properties without interfering with the pigment-based lightfastness characteristics.
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 excellent fixation, lightfastness, and gasfastness, along with a glossy impression comparable to silver salt photographs, by improving the compatibility and drying properties of the resin with the ink composition, thereby addressing the limitations of existing pigment-based inks.
Implementation Method 1
a resin produced by emulsion polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the presence of a reactive emulsifier containing a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group and a radical reactive group
Implementation Method 2
a reactive emulsifier containing a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group and a radical reactive group
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an ink composition which can yield images having silver salt photograph-like gloss and is also excellent in fixation, lightfastness, and gasfastness of recorded images. The ink composition comprises: a resin produced by emulsion polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the presence of a reactive emulsifier containing a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group and a radical reactive group; water; and a pigment.