Inkjet Ink Polyurethane Olefin Copolymer Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing faces challenges with ink durability, particularly when using wet-press processes at high speeds, where slow-drying inks can stick to heated rollers and transfer onto non-absorbent media, causing damage and print quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of an aqueous inkjet ink formulation comprising a dispersed polyurethane polymer and a dispersed olefin ionic copolymer, which improves short-term print durability by optimizing the weight ratio and acid number of these components, along with the inclusion of an aprotic non-polar solvent, to enhance ink stability and resistance to paper-handling mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If slow-drying ink is used, then print quality on non-absorbent media is improved, but ink transfer onto heated rollers and subsequent prints occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific polymers (polyurethane with acid number 5-50 mg KOH/g and olefin ionic copolymer with acid number 75-230 mg KOH/g) and aprotic non-polar solvents, changing the drying characteristics and adhesion properties to prevent transfer while maintaining quality
Solution Approach 2:
The ink formulation uses a composite system combining multiple components: aqueous vehicle, dispersed pigment colorant, dispersed polyurethane polymer, dispersed olefin ionic copolymer, and aprotic non-polar solvent, where each component contributes specific properties that collectively resolve the contradiction between drying time and transfer resistance
2Reliability
If ink is printed on coated offset media, then print durability is improved, but ink sticks to heated rollers during wet-press process
Solution Approach 1:
The aprotic non-polar solvent acts as an intermediary substance that modifies the interaction between the ink and heated rollers, reducing adhesion and preventing sticking while allowing the ink to maintain durability on the coated media
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the ink by controlling the acid number and molecular structure of the polymers, and by incorporating aprotic non-polar solvents, which alter the ink's thermal behavior and reduce sticking to heated surfaces during the wet-press process
3Reliability
If conventional ink formulation is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but short-term print durability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite ink formulation combining aqueous vehicle, dispersed pigment, polyurethane polymer, olefin ionic copolymer, and aprotic non-polar solvent, where the synergistic interaction of these components achieves superior short-term durability despite the increased formulation complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an ink for inkjet printing. The ink contains an aqueous vehicle, a dispersed pigment colorant, a dispersed polyurethane polymer, and a dispersed olefin ionic copolymer. The ink exhibits improved short-term durability.