MEDA Monomer Inkjet Ink Replaces THFA for Safer Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation-curable inkjet inks containing tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFA) pose hazards due to its severe skin and eye burns and potential fertility and unborn child damage, necessitating a safer alternative that maintains adhesion, flexibility, and aesthetic quality.
Innovation Solution
A radiation-curable inkjet ink formulation using 2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-yl)methyl acrylate (MEDA) as a monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, combined with a photoinitiator and other monomers, which provides similar printing and curing properties to THFA while minimizing hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If THFA is used to provide good adhesion and flexibility, then adhesion to substrates is improved, but safety hazards increase due to severe skin burns and eye damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes THFA with alternative monomers including isobornyl acrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate, and 2-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-ylmethyl acrylate in specific concentration ranges. This parameter change maintains the adhesion and flexibility functions while eliminating the severe skin burns and eye damage hazards associated with THFA.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a combination of multiple monomers at controlled concentrations to achieve the desired performance without relying on hazardous substances. The formulation uses readily available alternative monomers that can be effectively substituted to maintain functionality while improving safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If THFA is used to solubilise chlorinated polyolefins, then adhesion to polyolefin substrates is improved, but safety hazards increase due to potential fertility and unborn child damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces THFA with alternative monomers (isobornyl acrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate, or 2-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-ylmethyl acrylate) in specific concentration ranges while maintaining the ability to solubilise chlorinated polyolefins and provide adhesion to polyolefin substrates, thereby eliminating fertility and unborn child damage hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining multiple monomers with chlorinated polyolefins and pigments. This composite approach maintains the solubilisation capability and adhesion to polyolefin substrates while using safer alternative monomers that do not pose fertility or unborn child damage risks.
3Productivity
If radiation-curable monomers are used to enable UV curing, then drying speed is improved, but viscosity control becomes more challenging to prevent crusting in reservoirs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the concentration of radiation-curable monomers (isobornyl acrylate: 5-30%, phenoxyethyl acrylate: 5-30%, or 2-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-ylmethyl acrylate: 5-30%) to achieve rapid UV curing while maintaining appropriate viscosity levels that prevent crusting in reservoirs and nozzles during storage and operation.
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 with MEDA offers excellent adhesion and flexibility, replacing THFA without compromising performance, and is safer to handle, with improved adhesion to various substrates, including polyolefin surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Radiation-curable inkjet inks contain radiation-curable material, such as radiation-curable monomers, which polymerise by irradiation with actinic radiation (usually ultraviolet light) in the presence of a photoinitiator.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an inkjet ink comprising: one or more monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers, including 2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-yl)methyl acrylate (MEDA); a pigment; and a photoinitiator.