Ink composition and textile printing method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet inks containing pigments for textile printing face issues with ejectability, particularly when left in an open environment, leading to quick drying and printer clogging due to high binder content and low solvent levels.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition comprising a pigment, water, a polymeric dispersant obtained through living radical polymerization using specific polymerization initiators, a urethane resin, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a nonionic surfactant, with optimized mass ratios and properties to maintain ejectability and prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the binder component content is increased to fix pigment to fiber, then the pigment fixation is improved, but the ink dries quickly causing ejection failure and head clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by introducing a specific polymeric dispersant with controlled molecular weight (10,000-100,000) and functional groups, along with a urethane resin and nonionic surfactant. This composition adjustment allows maintaining lower binder content while achieving both good pigment fixation and ejection performance by modifying how the components interact and function together in the ink system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite system combining polymeric dispersant, urethane resin, and nonionic surfactant together. This composite approach creates synergistic effects where the dispersant stabilizes pigment particles, the urethane resin provides binding functionality, and the surfactant controls surface properties, allowing the ink to achieve both fixation and ejection performance with optimized component ratios rather than relying on high binder content alone.
2Reliability
If the solvent content is reduced to improve colorfastness, then the dyeing performance is improved, but the ink dries quickly leading to ejection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the solvent system by selecting specific water-soluble organic solvents with appropriate boiling points and evaporation rates, combined with optimized water content. This parameter optimization allows the ink to maintain sufficient solvent content for good ejection performance while ensuring rapid drying and colorfastness through controlled evaporation characteristics of the selected solvent mixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different functional requirements to different components: the polymeric dispersant provides long-term stability and pigment suspension, the urethane resin provides binding function, and the solvent mixture provides controlled evaporation. This local optimization of component functions allows the ink to achieve both good ejection (through controlled volatility) and colorfastness (through effective binding and pigment fixation) without compromising either property.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the ink stands in open environment, then the solvent evaporates causing the ink to dry, but this leads to ejection failure and head clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention ensures continuous protective action by using the polymeric dispersant to maintain pigment suspension stability over time, preventing particle aggregation even as solvent evaporates. The nonionic surfactant continuously monitors and maintains surface tension, while the urethane resin continuously binds pigment particles. This continuous stabilization mechanism allows the ink to resist drying-induced clogging and maintain ejection performance despite extended standing in open environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides beforehand cushioning against drying by incorporating the polymeric dispersant and surfactant system that preemptively prevents pigment aggregation and maintains ink flowability. This protective formulation acts as a buffer against the harmful effects of solvent evaporation, allowing the ink to maintain ejection capability even after standing in open environment for extended periods.
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 ink composition ensures good ejectability and prevents printer clogging, even after standing in an open environment, while allowing for high-quality textile printing with improved storage stability and colorfastness.
Implementation Method 1
an ink composition for inkjet textile printing, comprising a pigment, water, a polymeric dispersant
Implementation Method 2
a polymeric dispersant obtained through living radical polymerization
Implementation Method 3
a nonionic surfactant
Implementation Method 4
a nonionic surfactant
Implementation Method 5
a water-soluble organic solvent
Implementation Method 6
a urethane resin
Data Source
AI summary
A pigment ink composition that exhibits good ejectability, particularly after standing in an open environment, and an inkjet textile printing method and a dyeing method using the ink composition. The ink composition for inkjet textile printing includes a pigment, water, a polymeric dispersant, a urethane resin, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a nonionic surfactant.