Oily inkjet ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ester-based solvents with high carbon numbers in inkjet inks lead to slow penetration speeds, poor separation properties, and increased risk of roller transfer contamination and resin tube degradation due to their high viscosity and structural limitations, while those with low carbon numbers cause clear file deformation and odor issues.
Innovation Solution
An oil-based inkjet ink formulation using a fatty acid ester-based solvent with a specific molecular structure, characterized by general formula (1), where R1 and R2 are alkyl groups with at least 5 and 6 carbon atoms respectively, and at least one being a branched alkyl group with a side chain of 4 or more carbon atoms, to create a bulky structure that prevents resin tube degradation and promotes rapid ink penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ester-based solvents with high carbon numbers are used in inkjet ink, then the ink shows good discharge stability and does not swell transparent files, but the viscosity increases causing slow penetration speed and poor separation properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the ester-based solvent by introducing branched alkyl groups with specific carbon atom counts (6-12 carbons in the branched chain, and ensuring total carbon atoms are 24-36). This structural modification allows the solvent to maintain lower viscosity while preserving discharge stability and file compatibility, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and penetration speed.
2Reliability
If ester-based solvents with high carbon numbers are used in inkjet ink, then the ink shows good discharge stability, but the separation properties deteriorate leading to roller transfer contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of the ester-based solvent by incorporating branched alkyl groups with specific carbon distributions. This structural change improves separation properties by reducing intermolecular forces and enhancing solvent volatility control, thereby preventing roller transfer contamination while maintaining discharge stability.
3Reliability
If ester-based solvents with high carbon numbers are used in inkjet ink, then the ink shows good discharge stability, but the resin tube degradation problem worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure of the ester-based solvent by introducing branched alkyl groups with specific carbon atom configurations. This structural modification reduces the solvent's ability to degrade resin tubes while maintaining discharge stability, likely due to the branched structure's reduced affinity for resin polymers compared to linear structures.
4Speed
If ester-based solvents with low carbon numbers are used in inkjet ink, then the penetration speed improves, but clear file deformation and odor problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the carbon atom count parameters of the ester-based solvent to 24-36 total carbons with specific branched structures. This parameter increase suppresses odor and file deformation issues while the branched structure maintains acceptable penetration speed, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and harmful factors.
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 solution effectively prevents resin tube degradation, reduces roller transfer contamination, and minimizes ink odor by ensuring the solvent's viscosity is suitable for rapid ink penetration and surface retention of pigments, enhancing image density and print quality.
Implementation Method 1
the non-aqueous solvent penetrates rapidly into the interior of the recording medium, allowing the printed item to dry
Implementation Method 2
Solvent-based inks mainly dry on the recording medium as a result of evaporation of the organic solvent
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an oil-based inkjet ink containing a pigment and a fatty acid ester-based solvent represented by general formula (1) shown below and having at least 18 but not more than 29 carbon atoms per molecule. In general formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group of 5 or more carbon atoms, R2 represents an alkyl group of 6 or more carbon atoms, and at least one of R1 and R2 is a branched alkyl group of 9 or more carbon atoms having a side chain of 4 or more carbon atoms.