Photocurable Ink Composition for Low-Stickiness UV Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photocurable inks used in industrial inkjet printing face issues with stickiness due to oxygen inhibition of radical polymerization and storage stability under high temperature conditions, particularly when containing N-vinyl compounds.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an N-vinyl compound, (meth)acrylic acid ester compound, (meth)acrylamide compound, and an aromatic secondary amine compound in the photocurable ink to enhance polymerization stability and reduce stickiness, with a photopolymerization initiator to initiate radical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a photocurable ink contains N-vinyl compounds and (meth)acrylic acid ester compounds for fast-drying properties, then the ink exhibits rapid polymerization upon UV irradiation, but the surface exposed to atmosphere remains sticky due to oxygen inhibition of radical polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a chain transfer agent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the radical polymerization process and oxygen inhibition. The chain transfer agent captures oxygen and transfers the polymerization chain, allowing the reaction to continue despite oxygen presence. This resolves the contradiction by enabling complete curing (improving reliability) while maintaining the fast polymerization speed provided by the N-vinyl and (meth)acrylic acid ester compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the ink composition by adding specific chain transfer agents with controlled molecular structures and reactivity. This parameter change allows the system to tolerate oxygen presence without sacrificing polymerization speed, thereby achieving both fast-drying properties and complete curing on atmospheric-exposed surfaces.
2Speed
If the photocurable ink contains radical polymerizable compounds to enable fast curing, then the ink dries rapidly upon UV irradiation, but the ink gels during storage under high temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a chain transfer agent into the ink formulation before storage or use. This agent preemptively controls the polymerization kinetics by regulating radical activity, preventing premature gelation during high-temperature storage while remaining inactive until UV irradiation initiates the intended curing process. This resolves the contradiction between fast curing speed and storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain transfer agent serves as a protective cushion against unwanted polymerization during storage. It moderates radical reactions under high temperature conditions, cushioning the system from gelation while preserving the fast-curing capability when UV light is applied. This beforehand cushioning enables the ink to maintain both rapid curing performance and storage stability.
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 improves storage stability under high temperatures and reduces stickiness upon curing, ensuring effective ink performance and stability during storage and application.
Implementation Method 1
A photocurable ink contains unsaturated organic compounds that undergo polymerization upon exposure to ultraviolet light in the presence of a photopolymerization initiator. The photopolymerization initiator contained in the photocurable ink generates radicals when irradiated with ultraviolet light.
Implementation Method 2
the photocurable ink contains an aromatic secondary amine compound... improved stickiness upon curing and has high storage stability under high temperature conditions
Implementation Method 3
The unsaturated organic compounds polymerize through radical reactions with the generated radicals, and thus the photocurable ink is cured and fixed to a recording medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A photocurable ink includes a radical polymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the radical polymerizable compound contains an N-vinyl compound, and at least one type of acrylic monomer selected from a group consisting of a (meth)acrylic acid ester compound and a (meth)acrylamide compound, and wherein the photocurable ink contains an aromatic secondary amine compound. An ink cartridge and a method for inkjet recording using the photocurable ink are also provided.