Ink-jet Ink Composition for PVC Adhesion and Odor Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet inks face challenges when printing on polyvinyl chloride, including poor adhesion, low drying rate, and bleed-through issues on paper substrates, while also raising safety concerns due to the use of solvents like cyclohexanone and causing unpleasant odors.
Innovation Solution
An ink-jet ink composition comprising 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone or γ-butyrolactone as a solvent, water, and pigments, with a surface tension of 18-27 mN/m, which enhances wettability and drying on polyvinyl chloride while minimizing odor and bleed-through on paper substrates, using fluorine or silicone-based surface active agents to regulate surface tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cyclohexanone is used as a solvent in ink-jet ink to achieve high dissolving capability to soft polyvinyl chloride, then abrasion resistance and glossiness are improved, but safety concerns arise and unpleasant odor is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing cyclohexanone with specific solvent combinations (amide-based solvents in controlled amounts, ester solvents, and ketone solvents with limited content) to maintain dissolving capability while eliminating harmful effects. The solvent system is reformulated to achieve the desired balance between performance and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining multiple solvent types (amides, esters, ketones) in specific proportions to achieve the desired dissolving capability for polyvinyl chloride while mitigating the harmful effects of individual solvents. This composite approach allows synergistic effects that provide both performance and safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solvent inks incorporating amide solvents are used to eliminate cyclohexanone, then safety concerns are reduced, but unpleasant odor persists and sufficient characteristics for polyvinyl chloride recording are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of amide solvents and introduces ester and ketone solvents with specific content ranges to enhance the dissolving capability while maintaining safety benefits. The solvent composition is fine-tuned to achieve optimal balance between safety and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a multi-component solvent system combining amide, ester, and ketone solvents in specific ratios to achieve both safety improvement and maintained performance. The composite solvent system provides synergistic dissolving action that amide alone cannot achieve.
3Strength
If solvent inks are used to print on polyvinyl chloride, then adhesion and dissolving capability are improved, but bleed-through occurs on paper substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the solvent volatility parameters and evaporation rates by selecting specific solvent combinations with appropriate boiling points and vapor pressures. This controlled evaporation pattern allows the ink to bond with polyvinyl chloride while preventing excessive penetration through paper substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different functional zones in the solvent system: components that provide strong adhesion to polyvinyl chloride and components that control penetration through paper. The local quality of the ink film is optimized by the specific solvent combination to achieve selective bonding.
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 exhibits excellent printing capabilities, quick drying, abrasion resistance, and reduced unpleasant odor, with improved adhesion and resistance to bleed-through on paper substrates, addressing the limitations of existing ink-jet inks.
Implementation Method 1
1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone or γ-butyrolactone as a solvent... high dissolving capability to soft polyvinyl chloride
Implementation Method 2
using fluorine or silicone-based surface active agents to regulate surface tension... surface tension of the ink-jet ink is 18-27 mN/m... enhances wettability
Implementation Method 3
exhibits excellent printing capabilities, quick drying... excellent rear surface penetration (or bleed-through) resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet ink comprising Component (A), Component (B), and Component (C), wherein a content of Component (A) is 20-60% by weight, a content of Component (B) is 10-50% by weight, and when the content of Component (A) is 100% by weight, the total content ratio of a class of glycol, a class of polyol, and glycerin is 0-20% by weight, and a surface tension of the ink-jet ink is 18-27 mN/m; wherein Component (A) is 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone or γ-butyrolactone, Component (B) is water, and Component (C) is a pigment.