Inkjet Printable Enamel Inks Using Bismuth Silicate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enamel coatings formed from inkjet inks with low solid content, low viscosity, and low particle size exhibit worse functional properties compared to optimized commercial enamel pastes printed via screen printing methods.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a crystalline bismuth silicate powder, such as Eulytite, into inkjet printable enamel inks, which comprise at least one glass frit, a pigment, and an organic carrier, to improve the functional properties of the resultant enamel coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If inkjet inks with low solid content, low viscosity, and low particle size are used, then inkjet printability is improved, but functional properties of the enamel coating deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite glass frit system combining two different glass frits with distinct compositions (one rich in silica, the other rich in boron oxide) along with crystalline bismuth silicate powder. This composite material approach allows the ink to maintain low viscosity and particle size for inkjet printability while the combined glass matrix provides sufficient functional properties in the fired enamel coating, resolving the contradiction between printability and coating performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the glass frit particles (reducing particle size to sub-micron or low micron ranges) and adjusts the chemical composition parameters (combining different glass compositions with specific oxide ratios). These parameter changes enable the glass frit to remain suspended in low-viscosity ink suitable for inkjet printing while still forming a functional enamel coating after firing, thus improving inkjet printability without sacrificing coating quality
2Reliability
If high solid content and high viscosity enamel pastes are used, then functional properties of enamel coating are improved, but inkjet printability deteriorates due to high viscosity and particle size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the glass frit into two distinct compositional types (silica-rich and boron oxide-rich) with different particle size distributions, and further reduces overall particle size to sub-micron or low micron ranges. This segmentation allows the glass frit to be dispersed in low-viscosity carriers suitable for inkjet printing while the combined effect of multiple glass components maintains functional coating properties, overcoming the limitation of high viscosity in traditional enamel pastes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the viscosity parameter of the enamel paste by reducing solid content and using low-viscosity organic carriers, while simultaneously changing the particle size parameter to sub-micron or low micron ranges. These parameter changes make the paste suitable for inkjet printing (viscosity < 25 cps, particle size < 2 microns) while the optimized glass frit composition ensures functional coating properties are maintained after firing
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 addition of crystalline bismuth silicate powder significantly enhances the functional performance characteristics of enamel coatings formed from inkjet inks, achieving similar or better performance compared to state-of-the-art commercial enamel pastes printed via screen printing methods.
Implementation Method 1
the applied coating undergoes firing, i.e., is subjected to heat treatment to cause the frit to soften and fuse to the substrate, thereby adhering an enamel to the substrate
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating a crystalline bismuth silicate powder, such as Eulytite, into inkjet printable enamel inks, which comprise at least one glass frit, a pigment, and an organic carrier, to improve the functional properties of the resultant enamel coatings
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printable enamel ink including: at least one glass frit; at least one pigment; a crystalline bismuth silicate powder; and an organic carrier, wherein the glass frit, pigment, and crystalline bismuth silicate powder have a d99 particle size distribution of less than 4 micrometers in the organic carrier, wherein the ink has a viscosity less than 30 mPa·S−1 at 100 s−1 shear rate and a temperature of 35° C., and wherein the ink has a total solid content, including the glass frit, pigment, and crystalline bismuth silicate powder, of no more than 60 wt %.