Luminescent Ink Composition for High-Temperature Ceramic Labels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luminescent materials used in ceramics lose their photoluminescent properties at high temperatures and are not suitable for digital printing, making them unsuitable for ceramic product authentication.

Innovation Solution

A composition of solvents, diluents, dispersants, and specific oxide particles, including Eu2O3, Sm2O3, Dy2O3, Nd2O3, Ho2O3, and Er2O3, is formulated to create an ink that maintains luminescent properties under UV light and withstands high temperatures, allowing digital printing and integration into ceramic products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional luminescent materials are used in ceramic products, then the ceramic product can be fired at high temperatures, but the luminescent properties are lost during the firing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiring temperatureVSAvoidluminescent property retention
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the luminescent material by incorporating specific rare earth metals (europium, dysprosium, terbium, holmium, erbium) into the aluminate and silicate structures. This compositional modification enables the material to maintain luminescent properties at high firing temperatures (900-1200°C) that would otherwise destroy conventional luminescent materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite luminescent material system combining multiple rare earth metal oxides (Eu2O3, Dy2O3, Tb2O3, Ho2O3, Er2O3) with aluminate and silicate base structures. This composite approach synergistically enhances both the thermal stability and luminescent properties, allowing the material to withstand ceramic firing temperatures while retaining photoluminescence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If sulfur compound-based luminescent materials are used, then intense luminescent properties can be obtained, but harmful radiation is emitted and luminescent properties are lost at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminescent intensityVSAvoidharmful radiation and thermal instability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces harmful sulfur-based luminescent materials with rare earth metal-based alternatives that eliminate harmful radiation emission. The rare earth metals naturally provide intense luminescence without the toxic byproducts, converting a harmful system into a safe one while maintaining or enhancing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses stable, non-toxic rare earth metal compounds that maintain their luminescent properties permanently through the ceramic firing process and throughout the product lifecycle, replacing temporary, harmful sulfur compounds that degrade and emit harmful radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If aluminates are used for luminescence, then physical and chemical stability is improved, but industrial implementation becomes complicated and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical and chemical stabilityVSAvoidindustrial implementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional luminescent ink composition that simultaneously provides luminescence, stability, and ease of application. The ink formulation includes dispersants, solvents, and binding agents that enable simple spray or brush application, making the stable aluminate-based luminescent material easy to implement in various industrial settings without complex synthesis equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces ink formulation components (dispersants, solvents, binding agents) as intermediaries that facilitate the application of aluminate-based luminescent materials. These intermediaries simplify the manufacturing process by enabling easy application methods while the aluminate provides the stable luminescent core.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If luminescent ink is applied to ceramic products, then authentication capability is enabled, but the ink must withstand high firing temperatures without degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidfiring temperature resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates a composite ink system combining rare earth metal oxide particles (providing luminescent authentication) with heat-resistant aluminate and silicate matrices. This composite structure ensures the ink withstands ceramic firing temperatures (900-1200°C) while maintaining its luminescent authentication properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific ratios of rare earth metal oxides, aluminate, and silicate to optimize both the luminescent authentication capability and the thermal stability required for high-temperature ceramic processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition ensures stable, visible luminescent properties under UV light after high-temperature processing, enabling effective product authentication and anti-falsification without surface defects or property loss.

Implementation Method 1

a luminescent label that glows under ultraviolet light conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

the high temperatures (900-1250°C) of the heat treatment carried out in the ceramic manufacturing process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP4495198B1Luminescent ink and ceramic product with a label printed with luminescent ink
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 COLOROBBIA ESPANA SA
  • EP4495198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4495198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4495198B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a luminescent ink having a composition in % by weight comprising 20-55% of solvent, 5-55% of dissolvent; 2-15% of dispersant additive; 5-35% of solid particles with fluorescent properties, and 0.5-15% of solid dopant particles. The invention also relates to a process for obtaining a ceramic product with a printed luminescent label which incorporates a step in which digital printing is performed with said luminescent ink, this printing being applied on the surface substrate of the unfired ceramic part; and wherein the printing is performed with a digital printing machine; subjecting the ceramic part to a subsequent heat treatment in a conventional ceramic furnace at a temperature comprised between 650 and 1400°C; and obtaining a fired ceramic product comprising a luminescent label visible with ultraviolet light. The invention also relates to a ceramic product obtainable by means of said process for obtaining a ceramic product, as well as to the use of the ink for printing luminescent labels that glow under ultraviolet light on ceramic products.