Inkjet Ink Composition for Low-Viscosity Fast UV Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet inks face challenges in achieving a desirable balance of low viscosity, high cure speed, adhesion, flexibility, and safety while avoiding hazardous monomers like THFA.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating benzyl acrylate, (2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-yl)methyl acrylate, and an N-vinyl amide or N-(meth)acryloyl amine monomer into the ink formulation, along with controlled amounts of di- and multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomers, to maintain a viscosity of less than 15 mPas at 25°C while enhancing cure speed, adhesion, flexibility, and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional printing inks are used, then the ink can be applied to substrates, but the ink contains harmful substances that cause health problems and environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional organic solvents with water as the carrier, fundamentally changing the chemical composition parameters of the ink. This substitution eliminates harmful volatile organic compounds while maintaining the ink's functional properties through careful formulation of water-soluble dyes and additives
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite ink formulation combining water, dyes, surfactants, and protective colloids. This composite structure allows the ink to exhibit both environmental safety (water-based) and effective inking performance (through synergistic interactions of components)
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based inks are used to replace conventional inks, then health and environmental problems are reduced, but the inking performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants and protective colloids as intermediary substances that mediate between water and the dye particles. These intermediaries improve wetting, prevent premature drying, and ensure uniform color distribution, thereby achieving satisfactory inking performance in a water-based system
Solution Approach 2:
The ink formulation uses different components with specialized local functions: water as the carrier, dyes for coloration, surfactants for wetting and emulsification, and protective colloids for stability. Each component contributes specific local quality that collectively achieves overall inking performance
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water is used as the carrier instead of organic solvents, then the ink becomes less harmful, but the ink dries too slowly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the water-based ink by adjusting temperature, pH, and ionic strength to optimize evaporation rate and drying characteristics. This allows control over drying speed while maintaining the safety benefits of water as the carrier
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 inkjet ink achieves ultra-low viscosity, high-speed printing with improved cure speed, adhesion, flexibility, and a safer profile, free from hazardous monomers like THFA, while maintaining excellent surface resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a) a water-soluble or dispersible anionic surfactant and a water-soluble cationic polymer in a specific proportion
Implementation Method 2
giving rise to a satisfactory inking performance
Data Source
Figure 1a~4c
Figure 5a~8c
Figure 9d~10e
AI summary
The present invention provides an inkjet ink comprising benzyl acrylate, (2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3- dioxolane-4-yl)methyl acrylate, and an N-vinyl amide monomer and/or an N-(meth)acryloyl amine monomer, wherein the ink has a viscosity of less than 15 mPas at 25°C. The present invention also provides a method of inkjet printing comprising inkjet printing the inkjet ink onto a substrate and curing the inkjet ink by exposing the inkjet ink to a curing source.