Inkjet Ink Dynamic Surface Tension Control for Coated Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet inks used for image formation on poorly absorbent recording media, such as coated and matte coated papers, often result in inconsistent line widths due to varying ink absorbency and dynamic surface tension over time.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet ink formulation containing a pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, including a glycol ether compound, and a surfactant, with a controlled dynamic surface tension difference between 10 milliseconds and 10,000 milliseconds, maintaining a low difference to ensure consistent line width on various poorly absorbent media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional inkjet ink is used on poorly absorbent recording media, then images can be formed on various media types, but line width becomes inconsistent across different media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the dynamic surface tension characteristics of the ink through specific compositional parameters. The ink formulation includes a water-soluble organic solvent (10-60 mass%) and surfactant (0.1-5 mass%) to achieve a dynamic surface tension difference (γ10 - γ10000) of 3.4 mN/m or less, which maintains consistent line width across different poorly absorbent recording media while preserving versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If ink is ejected onto poorly absorbent recording media, then images can be formed on coated and matte coated papers, but the ink spreads excessively causing thicker line widths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-adjusting the dynamic surface tension characteristics of the ink before ejection. The ink is formulated with specific surfactant concentrations and organic solvent ratios to maintain high dynamic surface tension initially, preventing excessive spreading on poorly absorbent media before the ink has a chance to absorb into the paper
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the dynamic surface tension parameter by adjusting the ink composition, specifically using water-soluble organic solvents (10-60 mass%) and surfactants (0.1-5 mass%) to achieve a dynamic surface tension difference of 3.4 mN/m or less, which prevents excessive spreading and maintains consistent line width on coated and matte coated papers
3Ease of operation
If dynamic surface tension decreases over time, then ink wetting improves, but line width increases due to excessive spreading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the dynamic surface tension decay rate through specific ink formulation. The dynamic surface tension difference (γ10 - γ10000) is limited to 3.4 mN/m or less, which allows sufficient wetting for image formation while preventing excessive spreading that would increase line width
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 consistent line widths on both coated and matte coated papers by maintaining high dynamic surface tension until absorption, preventing excessive spreading and ensuring thin line widths on low absorbency media.
Implementation Method 1
a difference between a dynamic surface tension γ10 at a surface age of 10 milliseconds and a dynamic surface tension γ10000 at a surface age of 10,000 milliseconds is no greater than 3.4 mN/m
Implementation Method 2
The inkjet ink contains a pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, water, and a surfactant
Implementation Method 3
The water-soluble organic solvent includes a glycol ether compound
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet ink contains a pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, water, and a surfactant. The water-soluble organic solvent includes a glycol ether compound. A difference between a dynamic surface tension γ10 of the inkjet ink at a surface age of 10 milliseconds and a dynamic surface tension γ10000 of the inkjet ink at a surface age of 10000 milliseconds is no greater than 3.4 mN/m. An inkjet recording method is an inkjet recording method for forming an image on a recording medium with the above-mentioned inkjet ink and includes forming the image by ejecting the inkjet ink toward the recording medium. The recording medium is a poorly absorbent recording medium.