Inkjet Ink Composition for Planographic Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet processes for producing planographic printing plates face challenges in achieving high definition, reduced ink spread, and improved printing durability due to the use of inks that are either in a liquid state at room temperature or require high energy for curing, leading to insufficient image transfer and durability issues.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet ink composition comprising a dispersion medium, a colorant, and a lipophilic substance with specific molecular weight ranges and polydispersity, along with a component soluble in the dispersion medium, is developed to enhance inking properties and printing durability, while reducing thermal melting temperature, by controlling the weight ratios and using polymers with specific constituent units for improved image formation and curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an ink composition with very high surface tension is used to prevent ink spread on the support surface, then image definition is improved, but the ink is insufficiently transferred during printing due to poor affinity with the hydrophobic image area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific lipophilic substances (fatty acid derivatives, oils, waxes) in controlled amounts (0.1-30 mass%). This modifies the surface tension and affinity characteristics of the ink, enabling it to maintain high definition while achieving sufficient transfer to the hydrophobic image area during printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink composition by combining multiple components: dispersion medium, colorant, lipophilic substance, and optionally polymer and surfactant. This composite formulation achieves balanced properties where the lipophilic substances provide affinity for the hydrophobic image area while the overall composition maintains appropriate surface tension to prevent excessive spread, thus resolving the contradiction between image definition and ink transfer sufficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If a hydrophobic material present in solid state at room temperature is melted and used as ink composition, then ink spread is reduced, but hardness is insufficient at room temperature after solidification, reducing printing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite ink composition containing lipophilic substances (providing hardness and durability) combined with dispersion media and optional polymers (providing flow and adhesion). This composite structure allows the ink to maintain appropriate viscosity during jetting, form sharp images with minimal spread, and then solidify into a durable, hard image layer that withstands printing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls the molecular weight, polydispersity, and composition ratios of the lipophilic substances and polymers to achieve optimal balance between ink spread control during application and hardness/durability after solidification. By adjusting these parameters, the ink transitions from a jettable state with controlled spread to a solid state with sufficient hardness for durable printing.
3Ease of operation
If inks present in liquid state at room temperature are used, then ease of application is improved, but resolution is reduced due to ink spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the ink by incorporating lipophilic substances and polymers with specific molecular weights and polydispersities. These parameter changes increase the viscosity and reduce the surface tension of the liquid ink, thereby minimizing capillary spread on the support surface while maintaining liquid state for easy jettable application, thus achieving both ease of operation and high resolution.
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 high-definition images with improved printing durability and reduced thermal melting temperature, ensuring effective ink transfer and enhanced image quality on planographic printing plates.
Implementation Method 1
ink is image-wise discharged onto a surface of a hydrophilic support using an inkjet process
Implementation Method 2
an active radiation ray is radiated thereon, and the support is cured, thereby obtaining a printing plate
Implementation Method 3
comprising a dispersion medium, a colorant, and a lipophilic substance
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an ink composition for inkjet recording. The ink composition for inkjet recording comprises a dispersion medium, a colorant, and a lipophilic substance. The ratio of the content of the colorant to the content of the lipophilic substance is from 1/2 to 1/24. The ink composition for inkjet recording also comprises a component soluble in the dispersion medium so that the ratio of the content of both of the colorant and the lipophilic substance to the content of the component soluble in the dispersion medium is from 1/0.1 to 1/1.