Photocurable Coating Composition for Ink-Jet Matte Finish
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photocurable coating compositions with scratch-resistant properties often have high gloss levels and cannot be effectively applied using ink-jet printing due to the size of matting agents, which block nozzle heads and reduce image resolution.
Innovation Solution
A photocurable coating composition with a low viscosity and specific particle size distribution of fillers, including colloidal silica treated with methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, that can be applied through ink-jet heads, providing a matte, weather-resistant, and scratch-resistant finish without nozzle blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If common matting agents with particle sizes >0.5-20 μm are added to achieve low gloss levels, then the matting effect is improved, but the nozzle diameters must be increased which results in bigger droplets and lower image resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of particle size from micrometer range (>0.5-20 μm) to nanometer range (5-250 nm). This parameter transformation allows matting agents to pass through fine ink-jet nozzles (10-40 μm diameter) without blockage while still achieving the desired low gloss effect on the cured coating surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the matting agent particles into much smaller sizes (5-250 nm) compared to conventional matting agents. This segmentation enables the particles to be dispersed throughout the coating composition and pass through ink-jet nozzles, while still providing sufficient surface scattering to achieve matting effect when cured.
2Strength
If photocurable coating compositions with scratch-resistant properties are used, then the resistance to abrasion is improved, but the gloss level becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite coating composition combining photocurable monomers/oligomers with nanometer-sized matting agent particles (5-250 nm). This composite structure integrates the scratch-resistant properties of cured acrylate networks with the matting effect of dispersed inorganic particles, achieving both high abrasion resistance and low gloss levels simultaneously.
3Illumination intensity
If matting agents are added to achieve low gloss levels, then the matting effect is improved, but the viscosity of the coating composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter to nanometer range (5-250 nm), which significantly reduces the viscosity impact compared to conventional micrometer-sized matting agents. The small nanometer particles can be easily dispersed in the coating composition without causing severe viscosity increase, enabling ink-jet application while achieving low gloss levels.
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 composition achieves a matte finish with low gloss levels and maintains resistance to abrasion and UV degradation, allowing for efficient application and improved image resolution in digital printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
the film on the substrate is subjected to a curing process by irradiation through light, in particular UV light
Implementation Method 2
selected scratch resistant photocurable coating compositions can be furnished with matting agents without loss of the favorable resistance against abrasion and degradation through UV-light
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a photocurable coating composition, a coating process using said composition, and coated articles comprising the cured composition. The coated articles are weather and scratch resistant.