Postprocessing Liquid Interfacial Tension for Wax Image Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in digital printing is that wax-containing printing materials lead to images with low surface tension, causing varnishes to repel and resulting in poor application properties, as the surface tension of the image is not compatible with the varnish, limiting the range of toner design and requiring expensive pretreatment methods like corona treatment.
Innovation Solution
Applying a postprocessing liquid with an interfacial tension to water within a specific range of 2 to 13 mN/m at 25°C to improve the application property and adhesiveness on images formed with wax-containing printing materials, allowing for better wettability and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wax-containing printing material is used for digital printing, then the image quality and toner design flexibility are improved, but the surface tension of the image becomes low, causing poor application property of postprocessing liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the postprocessing liquid by incorporating a specific carboxylic acid component with controlled molecular weight and structure. This parameter modification enables the postprocessing liquid to achieve compatible interfacial tension with wax-containing images, resolving the application property issue while maintaining toner design flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The carboxylic acid component acts as a chemical intermediary between the wax-containing image and the postprocessing liquid system. It mediates the interaction by providing polar groups that enhance affinity with the image surface, thereby improving wettability and application property without requiring changes to the printing material
2Ease of operation
If the surface tension of the postprocessing liquid is reduced to improve application property, then wettability is enhanced, but the adhesiveness and re-postprocessing property deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes multiple parameters of the postprocessing liquid simultaneously: the carboxylic acid component content (0.1-10 mass%), molecular weight range, and structural characteristics. This multi-parameter optimization achieves the right balance between surface tension (for application property) and chemical composition (for adhesiveness), eliminating the need for expensive pretreatment
Solution Approach 2:
The postprocessing liquid is formulated as a composite system containing the carboxylic acid component combined with other compatible solvents and additives. This composite formulation provides both the low surface tension needed for good wettability and the chemical stability required for strong adhesion and re-postprocessing capability
3Ease of operation
If corona treatment is performed to increase surface tension of the image, then application property is improved, but the process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the surface modification function from the physical corona treatment process and transfers it to the chemical composition of the postprocessing liquid itself. The carboxylic acid component provides the necessary surface affinity chemically, eliminating the need for separate corona treatment apparatus and process steps
Solution Approach 2:
The carboxylic acid component serves as a chemical intermediary that performs the surface modification function previously achieved only by physical corona treatment. It mediates the interaction between postprocessing liquid and image, providing equivalent or superior application property without requiring complex pretreatment equipment
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
This approach enhances the application property and adhesiveness of the postprocessing liquid to the fixed image, ensuring effective application and re-postprocessing without the need for expensive pretreatment methods, while maintaining excellent adhesion and durability of the re-processed products.
Implementation Method 1
an interfacial tension of the postprocessing liquid to water is within a range of 2 to 13 mN/m at 25° C.
Implementation Method 2
excellent application property of a postprocessing liquid to a fixed image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method includes: forming an image with a printing material containing a wax on a recording medium: applying a postprocessing liquid onto the image as postprocessing; and forming a layer of the postprocessing liquid, wherein an interfacial tension of the postprocessing liquid to water is within a range of 2 to 13 mN/m at 25° C.