Multi-Part Inkjet Ink for Durable Printing on Stretchable Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing on flexible and absorptive substrates like textiles faces challenges with ink absorption, bleeding, and durability, particularly on stretchable materials that require long-lasting, water-resistant, and chemically stable images.
Innovation Solution
A multi-part ink composition comprising a property-adjusting agent and a proto-elastomeric film-forming agent that congeals upon contact, forming an elastic film on the substrate, which is applied using separate printheads to ensure immobilization and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional inkjet compositions are used on absorptive substrates, then the printing process is simple, but the ink absorbs excessively into the substrate causing bleeding and poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet composition is divided into multiple parts (first part and second part) that are applied separately. The first part contains a property-adjusting agent that modifies the substrate surface properties, while the second part contains the colorant. This segmentation prevents excessive ink absorption and bleeding while maintaining good image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The property-adjusting agent in the first part is applied to the substrate before the colorant is applied. This preliminary action modifies the substrate surface to reduce excessive ink absorption and prevent bleeding, allowing the subsequent colorant application to produce high-quality images without the drawbacks of conventional direct printing.
2Reliability
If inkjet printing is performed on stretchable substrates, then the substrate flexibility is maintained, but the printed image lacks durability and resistance to water and chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet composition undergoes parameter changes through the action of the property-adjusting agent, which modifies the physical and chemical properties of the ink film. This creates a durable, water-resistant, and chemically resistant coating while maintaining the stretchable substrate's flexibility and elongation properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The inkjet composition forms a composite structure on the stretchable substrate, combining the property-adjusting agent and colorant in a multi-part system. This composite material provides enhanced durability, water resistance, and chemical resistance while preserving the substrate's flexibility and ability to elongate.
3Reliability
If multi-part ink compositions are used, then image durability and water resistance improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet system is segmented into multiple printheads, with each printhead dedicated to applying a specific part of the multi-part composition. This segmentation allows for precise control and simplified operation of each individual printhead, even though the overall system comprises multiple components working together to achieve durable, water-resistant images.
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 solution achieves high-quality, durable, and flexible images on stretchable substrates with improved resistance to water and chemicals, maintaining image integrity during stretching and use.
Implementation Method 1
a property-sensitive proto-elastomeric film-forming agent, a colorant and a second carrier, whereas the second part congeals upon contact with the property-adjusting agent
Data Source
AI summary
Novel inkjet ink compositions for forming an image in a form of an elastic film attached to a surface of a stretchable and/or flexible substrate and processes utilizing same for inkjet printing color images on various substrates such as colored and absorptive or impregnable stretchable materials, which are characterized by heightened efficiency in process time, ink and energy consumption, as well as products having durable, wash-fast and abrasion-fast images printed thereon by the process, are disclosed. The novel ink compositions comprise a first part, which contains a property-adjusting agent and a carrier, and a second part which contains an emulsified property-sensitive proto-elastomeric film-forming agent, a colorant and a carrier, such that the second part congeals upon contact with the property-adjusting agent. The second part is digitally applied to the substrate less than 1 second following the application of the first part to the substrate.