Inkjet Dye Ink Composition for Bleed-Resistant Fabric Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing on fabrics using acid or reactive dyes often results in color bleeding due to high hydrophilicity, leading to image quality deterioration, especially when multiple inks are superimposed.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ink jet printing ink set with a low hygroscopic organic solvent having an SP value between 11 and 13.5 and viscosity between 10 and 180 mPa·s, combined with acid or reactive dyes of molecular weight between 350 and 700, which suppresses color material diffusion by increasing solvent viscosity after evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If acid dyes or reactive dyes are used as color materials for good color reproducibility, then color reproduction quality is improved, but color bleeding occurs over time due to high hydrophilicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solvent system by selecting organic solvents with specific solubility parameters (SP value: 10.5-14.0) and viscosity ranges (20-200 mPa·s at 25°C). This parameter optimization reduces the solubility of hydrophilic color materials in the solvent, thereby suppressing color bleeding while maintaining good color reproduction quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation by combining hydrophilic color materials (acid dyes or reactive dyes) with specifically selected organic solvents that have low hygroscopicity. This composite system leverages the color reproduction advantages of hydrophilic dyes while the low hygroscopicity solvent matrix prevents moisture absorption and subsequent color bleeding.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrophilic solvents are used to dissolve color materials, then color material solubility is improved, but moisture absorption from air increases leading to color bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the solvent parameters by selecting organic solvents with specific solubility parameters (SP value: 10.5-14.0) that balance color material dissolution capability with low hygroscopicity. The viscosity is controlled within 20-200 mPa·s to ensure proper ink flow while preventing excessive moisture absorption from the environment, thus avoiding color bleeding.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inks are recorded in a superimposed manner, then image complexity is improved, but color bleeding on color boundaries deteriorates image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the solvent parameters (SP value: 10.5-14.0, viscosity: 20-200 mPa·s) to reduce color material diffusion. This enables superimposed printing of multiple inks while maintaining sharp color boundaries, as the optimized solvent system prevents excessive spreading even when multiple ink layers are deposited.
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
This approach effectively reduces color bleeding by minimizing the solubility of the color material in the solvent and increasing the viscosity of the remaining solvent, thereby enhancing image stability and quality.
Implementation Method 1
after the ink lands on the fabric, moisture evaporates such that the viscosity of the remaining solvent is increased
Implementation Method 2
an organic solvent having low hygroscopicity is used in combination with the above-described color material, which has high hydrophilicity
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet printing ink comprises a color material selected from an acid dye and a reactive dye; an organic solvent, and water, wherein the organic solvent has an SP (solubility parameter) value of equal to or larger than 11 and equal to or smaller than 13.5 and has a viscosity, at 20°C, of equal to or larger than 10 mPa·s and equal to or smaller than 180 mPa·s.