Modified Polyacrylate Dispersants for Ceramic Digital Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in achieving stable and consistent coloration of ceramic tiles using mixed metal oxide pigments, which are difficult to disperse in digital printing due to their high density and tendency to settle, leading to nozzle plugging and inconsistent color shades.
Innovation Solution
A pigment dispersion composition comprising a continuous phase liquid organic medium, mixed metal oxide ceramic pigments, and a specific dispersant with terminal end groups and a central structure, which effectively stabilizes the pigments and reduces particle size, preventing settling and plugging, and ensuring uniform coloration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If mixed metal oxide pigments are used for ceramic coloration, then color intensity and hue are improved, but particle settling and nozzle plugging occur due to high density
Solution Approach 1:
A dispersant comprising a polyacrylic copolymer functionalized with a polyether and reacted with an aminic polybasic species is introduced as an intermediary substance. The dispersant has a tripartite structure: a polyacrylic copolymer backbone providing anchoring to pigment particles, polyether chains providing steric stabilization, and aminic polybasic species enhancing dispersion stability. This mediator prevents high-density mixed metal oxide particles from settling and plugging nozzles while maintaining color intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the dispersant system by using a specific polyacrylic copolymer with controlled functionalization degree (10-50 mol%), specific polyether chain lengths, and controlled reaction with aminic polybasic species. These parameter changes optimize the balance between pigment particle stabilization and flow properties, preventing settling while maintaining coloration performance.
2Productivity
If particle size of inorganic metal oxide pigments is reduced for digital printing, then jetting efficiency is improved, but particle size control and stabilization become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersant is pre-formulated with specific structural characteristics before pigment application. The polyacrylic copolymer is functionalized with polyether chains and reacted with aminic polybasic species in advance, creating a pre-engineered dispersion system that automatically stabilizes reduced particle sizes during the digital printing process, eliminating the need for complex real-time particle size control.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersant itself is a composite material combining three functional components: polyacrylic copolymer backbone, polyether chains, and aminic polybasic species. This composite structure provides multiple simultaneous functions: particle anchoring, steric stabilization, and electrostatic repulsion, enabling effective particle size control and stabilization for digital printing applications.
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 provides stable ink jet ink dispersions with particle sizes below 700nm, improved filterability, and brighter, more homogeneous color shades, reducing waste and abrasive wear-derived contaminants, while maintaining jetting efficiency and consistency.
Implementation Method 1
stabilize colloidal particles of inorganic metal oxides
Implementation Method 2
dispersant having terminal end groups and a central portion of the structure
Implementation Method 3
requirement needed to be jetted using a digital printer... particle sizes of inorganic metal oxide pigments
Implementation Method 4
stabilize colloidal particles of inorganic metal oxides
Implementation Method 5
develops its full color intensity and hue after firing at elevated temperatures
Implementation Method 6
firing at elevated temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a pigment dispersion composition comprising a continuous phase liquid organic media, a mixed metal oxide ceramic pigment in particulate form that develops its full color intensity and hue after firing at elevated temperatures and a dispersant for the coloration of ceramic articles and glass articles.