Mineral Ink Formulation for Ceramic Inkjet Printing
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mineral inks for inkjet printing on mineral substrates, such as ceramic and glass-ceramic, lack resistance to food products, detergents, and high temperatures, and exhibit poor adhesion and durability issues, especially when exposed to repeated heating cycles and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A mineral ink formulation comprising 35-50% SiO2, 15-25% Al2O3, 1.5-4% Li2O, 22-32% B2O3, 0-2% Na2O, 2-5% K2O, 1-5% CaO, and 1-4% ZrO2 glass frit, combined with an organic solvent, dispersing agent, and surfactant, optimized for inkjet printing with specific rheological properties and surface tension, enhancing adhesion and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mineral paste based on resins and fatty substances is used for screen printing, then it provides good adhesion and coverage, but it is too viscous and has high surface tension making it unsuitable for inkjet printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the mineral paste by replacing traditional resin and fatty substance binders with a specific glass frit composition containing SiO2 (35-50%), Al2O3 (15-25%), B2O3 (22-32%), and other oxides. This compositional parameter change reduces viscosity and surface tension to make the paste suitable for inkjet printing while maintaining adhesion properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite mineral paste by combining glass frit particles (1-10 μm) with specific binder components and additives in controlled proportions. This composite formulation achieves the right balance between flowability for inkjet deposition and adhesion for durable enamel formation
2Reliability
If conventional mineral ink is used for inkjet printing on glass-ceramic, then the printing process is simple, but the enamel lacks resistance to food products, detergents, and high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the glass frit and binder system to achieve high-temperature stability and chemical resistance. The specific oxide composition and controlled particle size distribution enable the enamel to withstand cooking temperatures and contact with food products and detergents while maintaining adhesion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite enamel system combining glass frit with specific mineral additives and organic-inorganic hybrid binders. This composite structure provides both the mechanical properties for durable adhesion and the chemical properties for resistance to food, detergents, and thermal stress
3Strength
If mineral ink with standard composition is used, then the formulation is simple, but it produces poor adhesion and durability under repeated heating cycles and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including glass frit composition (SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3 ratios), particle size distribution (D10, D50, D90 values), binder composition, and additive concentrations to achieve superior adhesion and stress resistance. These parameter optimizations enable the enamel to withstand repeated heating cycles and mechanical stress
4Manufacturing precision
If inkjet printing is used to deposit enamel on glass or glass-ceramic, then complex decorations can be created, but the enamel exhibits microcracking and poor graphic element quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the rheological parameters (viscosity, surface tension, yield stress) and compositional parameters of the mineral paste to achieve optimal flow characteristics for inkjet printing. This prevents microcracking during deposition and ensures high graphic element quality while maintaining ease of operation with standard inkjet equipment
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 mineral ink achieves high resistance to dirt, mechanical stress, and maintains aesthetic quality with fine graphic elements, reducing microcracking and improving durability, while being suitable for various inkjet printing devices and applications.
Implementation Method 1
The mineral solid phase of the colloidal suspension generally comprises a glass frit and possibly a mineral pigment
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant to adjust the surface tension of the mineral ink
Implementation Method 3
a dispersing agent to prevent flocculation and/or sedimentation of the solid phase
Implementation Method 4
The liquid phase mainly comprises a solvent, generally organic
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mineral ink for inkjet printing on a mineral substrate. The mineral ink comprises: a glass frit, an organic solvent, a dispersant, a surfactant and a glass frit comprising the following constituents in the weight limits defined below expressed as percentages by weight of the glass frit: 35 to 50% of SiO2, 15 to 25% of Al2O3, 1.5 to 4% of Li2O, 22 to 32% of B2O3, 0 to 2% of Na2O, 2 to 5% of K2O, 1 to 5% of CaO, 1 to 4% of ZrO2.