Inkjet Ink and Intermediate Transfer Medium Contact Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing faces challenges in achieving desirable print quality due to coalescence of adjacent ink drops on the intermediate transfer medium, which affects the quality of the image transferred to the substrate.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves determining and controlling the desired contact angle of ink drops to minimize coalescence by matching the surface energy of the inkjet ink with the intermediate transfer medium, using specific additives and surface treatments to achieve a contact angle of less than 50°, thereby reducing or eliminating coalescence between adjacent ink drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ink drops are ejected onto the intermediate transfer medium, then the image transfer process can be completed, but adjacent ink drops coalesce and form larger ink drops which deteriorates print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the intermediate transfer medium by selecting specific materials with surface energies between 20-40 mN/m. This parameter change controls the contact angle of ink drops to be between 30-60 degrees, preventing coalescence while maintaining efficient transfer. The ink formulation is also adjusted with specific surface energy characteristics to match the ITM surface energy, creating optimal wetting conditions that prevent drop merging.
2Manufacturing precision
If the surface energy of the intermediate transfer medium is increased to prevent coalescence, then ink drop separation is improved, but the transfer of ink to substrate may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the surface energy parameter to a specific range (20-40 mN/m) rather than simply increasing it. This balanced parameter selection creates sufficient contact angle (30-60 degrees) to prevent coalescence while maintaining adequate wetting for transfer. The ink formulation is simultaneously adjusted to have surface energy matching the ITM, ensuring optimal transfer conditions are met without sacrificing either separation or transfer quality.
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
This approach significantly improves print quality by reducing coalescence, ensuring that ink drops maintain their individual footprints on the substrate, resulting in enhanced image transfer without compromising optical density.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a property of the intermediate transfer medium or the inkjet ink to obtain the desired contact angle... matching the surface energy of the inkjet ink with the intermediate transfer medium
Implementation Method 2
determining and controlling the desired contact angle of ink drops to minimize coalescence by matching the surface energy of the inkjet ink with the intermediate transfer medium, using specific additives and surface treatments to achieve a contact angle of less than 50°
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet ink and an intermediate transfer medium for inkjet printing are disclosed herein. During inkjet printing, the inkjet ink forms ink drops having a contact angle (θ) of less than or equal to 50° on the intermediate transfer medium, where the contact angle (θ) reduces or substantially eliminates coalescence of adjacent ink drops. The contact angle (θ) may be obtained by controlling a property of the inkjet ink and/or a property of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium.