Polysiloxane Surfactant Ink for Impermeable Media Fixability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aqueous inks have insufficient fixability and high-speed printing ability on impermeable print media, and do not meet the durability requirements for outdoor applications, with surfactant choice being a critical but inadequately addressed factor.
Innovation Solution
An ink formulation incorporating a polysiloxane surfactant with an HLB value of 8 or less and acryl-silicone resin particles, which improves fixability, adhesiveness, and storage stability by enhancing the ink's affinity to impermeable print media and preventing phase separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based ink is used for printing on impermeable print media, then environmental safety is improved, but fixability and adhesiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the water-based ink by selecting specific surfactants with HLB values of 3-7 and using acrylic resin emulsions with specific glass transition temperatures (-50°C to 0°C). These parameter changes enable the ink to achieve both environmental safety and improved fixability on impermeable media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining water, specific surfactants (polysiloxane, fluorinated, or polyglycerin-based), and acrylic resin emulsions with controlled glass transition temperatures. This composite approach allows the ink to exhibit both environmental compatibility and enhanced adhesion to plastic films and other impermeable substrates.
2Device complexity
If conventional surfactants are used in water-based ink, then ink formulation simplicity is maintained, but phase separation occurs during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for surfactant HLB values (3-7) and glass transition temperatures (-50°C to 0°C), along with controlled resin solid content (10-40%). These parameter constraints prevent phase separation while maintaining formulation simplicity and manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the concept of local quality by selecting surfactants and resins with specific localized properties (HLB values, glass transition temperatures) that are optimized for different aspects of ink performance. This ensures stability during storage while maintaining printability and fixability.
3Productivity
If high-speed printing is performed with water-based ink, then productivity is improved, but bead formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes surface tension parameters through careful selection of surfactants with specific HLB values, and controls viscosity parameters through resin selection with appropriate glass transition temperatures. These parameter optimizations prevent bead formation during high-speed printing while maintaining productivity.
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 achieves improved fixability, adhesiveness, and storage stability, preventing bead formation and transfer during high-speed printing, while maintaining image quality and durability suitable for outdoor applications.
Implementation Method 1
a polysiloxane surfactant, which has an HLB value of 8 or less
Implementation Method 2
enhancing the ink's affinity to impermeable print media
Implementation Method 3
acryl-silicone resin particles... preventing phase separation
Implementation Method 4
improves fixability, adhesiveness... by enhancing the ink's affinity to impermeable print media
Data Source
AI summary
An ink including: water; at least one organic solvent; a polysiloxane surfactant; and acryl-silicone resin particles, where the polysiloxane surfactant has an HLB value of 8 or less.