Ink Set Abrasion Resistance via Resin Emulsion and Aggregation Accelerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ink sets for inkjet printing lack sufficient abrasion resistance, leading to smearing or image deletion when printed areas are rubbed.

Innovation Solution

An ink set comprising an aqueous inkjet ink composition with a polyurethane resin emulsion and/or a polyolefin resin emulsion, and a primer composition containing an aggregation accelerator, where the surfactant includes an alkyl sulfonate and/or a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, enhancing both abrasion resistance and print image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ink sets are used to achieve good storage stability and ejection stability, then printing reliability is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stability and ejection stabilityVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink set by introducing a specific resin emulsion (polyurethane or polyolefin) and controlling the surfactant content within 0.05-0.5% by mass. This parameter optimization simultaneously improves abrasion resistance while maintaining storage and ejection stability through balanced formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite ink formulation combining multiple components: pigment, alkali-soluble resin, specific resin emulsion (polyurethane/polyolefin), controlled surfactant, water-soluble solvent, and water. This composite material approach allows synergistic effects where the resin emulsion provides abrasion resistance while other components maintain stability and ejection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If resin emulsion is added to ink composition to improve abrasion resistance, then print coating film durability is improved, but leveling property may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidleveling property
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention precisely controls the surfactant content parameter within 0.05-0.5% by mass and selects specific surfactant types (alkyl sulfonate and/or polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate). This parameter optimization ensures that the resin emulsion provides abrasion resistance while the controlled surfactant amount maintains proper leveling properties during printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different functional components to different aspects of the ink film: the resin emulsion provides local durability and abrasion resistance at the film structure level, while the surfactant provides local leveling control at the surface level. This local functional differentiation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 set achieves excellent abrasion resistance, maintaining print image quality and ensuring good storage stability and ejection stability.

Implementation Method 1

a primer composition containing an aggregation accelerator that accelerates aggregation of the aqueous inkjet ink composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAggregation: Coagulation

Implementation Method 2

the resin emulsion contains a polyurethane resin emulsion and/or a polyolefin resin emulsion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS12264252B2Ink set, printed work, and image formation method
Publication Date: 2025.04.01 SAKATA INX

AI summary

An ink set including an aqueous inkjet ink composition and a primer composition. The aqueous inkjet ink composition contains a pigment, an alkali-soluble resin, a resin emulsion, a surfactant, a water-soluble solvent, and water; the resin emulsion contains a polyurethane resin emulsion and/or a polyolefin resin emulsion; the surfactant contains an alkyl sulfonate and/or a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate; the aqueous inkjet ink composition has a content of the alkyl sulfonate and/or the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate of 0.05% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less; and the primer composition contains an aggregation accelerator that accelerates aggregation of the aqueous inkjet ink composition. The ink set provides a printed matter having good print image quality and excellent abrasion resistance, and has good storage stability and ejection stability.