Photocurable Inkjet Primer Ink Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Photocurable inkjet primer ink compositions with high viscosity exhibit excellent adhesion and image characteristics, but those with low viscosity suffer from tackiness and poor adhesion to non-absorptive substrates, limiting their use in inkjet recording methods.

Innovation Solution

A photocurable inkjet primer ink composition with a viscosity of 5.0 to 10.0 mPa·s, composed of a monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a bifunctional ethylenically unsaturated oligomer, where the monofunctional monomer content is 76.0 parts by weight or more, and the homopolymer has a glass transition temperature lower than 25° C, along with optional antigelling and surface adjusting agents, to enhance adhesion and reduce tackiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the viscosity of photocurable inkjet primer ink composition is reduced to 5.0 to 10.0 mPa·s for improved discharge stability, then the discharge stability is improved, but the adhesion to non-absorptive substrate material and anti-tackiness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge stabilityVSAvoidadhesion to substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the homopolymer of the monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer to be below 25°C. This temperature parameter control ensures the primer layer remains flexible and adhesive at room temperature while maintaining low viscosity for discharge stability. Additionally, the content ratio of monofunctional monomer (76-95 parts) to bifunctional oligomer (5-24 parts) is optimized to balance viscosity reduction with adhesion maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomers with specific Tg characteristics and bifunctional ethylenically unsaturated oligomers in defined ratios. This composite approach allows the low-viscosity monomer to provide discharge stability while the oligomer contributes to adhesion and crosslinking, creating a synergistic effect that resolves the contradiction between low viscosity and high adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the content of monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer is increased to maintain low viscosity, then the viscosity remains low for good discharge stability, but the tackiness of the primer layer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge stabilityVSAvoidtackiness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the glass transition temperature parameter of the monofunctional monomer's homopolymer to be below 25°C. This parameter control prevents excessive tackiness by ensuring the polymer chains remain mobile but not too sticky at room temperature, while still allowing low viscosity for discharge stability. The Tg acts as a critical threshold parameter that balances these opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by having different functional components serve different purposes: the monofunctional monomer with low Tg homopolymer provides local flexibility and adhesion at the substrate interface, while the bifunctional oligomer provides local crosslinking density to reduce overall tackiness. This spatial and functional differentiation resolves the contradiction between low viscosity and anti-tackiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 forms a primer layer with excellent adhesion to non-absorptive substrates and low tackiness, improving image quality and stability in inkjet recording.

Implementation Method 1

a photopolymerizable compound contained in the ink composition is polymerized by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and the like to form a crosslinked structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

there is a recording method using an ink composition which is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and the like (hereinafter referred to as a photocurable inkjet ink composition)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotocuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS11098211B2Photocurable inkjet primer ink composition, inkjet ink set and inkjet recording method
Publication Date: 2021.08.24 MAXELL LTD

AI summary

To provide a photocurable inkjet primer ink composition having a low viscosity, which is capable of forming a primer layer which exhibits excellent adhesion to a non-absorptive substrate material and has low tackiness, an inkjet ink set, and an inkjet recording method. A photocurable inkjet primer ink composition comprising: a photopolymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, the composition having a viscosity at 25° C. of 5.0 to 10.0 mPa·s; wherein the photopolymerizable compound is composed of a monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a bifunctional ethylenically unsaturated oligomer; wherein a content of the monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer is 76.0 parts by weight or more per 100 parts by weight of the whole composition; and wherein a homopolymer of the monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer has a glass transition temperature of lower than 25° C.