Printable Polyester Film for Inkjet Graphics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printable films receptive to solvent-based inkjet inks face challenges in achieving a balance of good printability, durability, and adherence to uneven surfaces, particularly in non-PVC based films, which are costly and complex to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A polyester film with a blend of amorphous polyester and a copolymer of olefin and hydrocarbon ester of acrylic acid, offering excellent printability and mechanical properties, including a self-supported layer with an adhesive layer for easy application and removal, suitable for large graphics on vehicles and buildings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-PVC based films are used to replace PVC based films, then environmental compatibility is improved, but printing properties and manufacturing cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of a polyester base film combined with a specific adhesive layer formulation. The adhesive layer comprises a blend of polyacrylate polymer and rubber polymer in controlled ratios, creating a composite structure that achieves both environmental compatibility and superior printing properties without using PVC
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters including the adhesive layer thickness (0.5-5 μm), the ratio of polyacrylate to rubber polymer (95:5 to 50:50), and the glass transition temperature of the adhesive components. These parameter adjustments enable the non-PVC film to achieve printing quality comparable to or better than traditional PVC films
2Measurement precision
If ink drops are deposited on the film surface for inkjet printing, then image quality is improved, but insufficient wetting causes dot gain and banding effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface energy parameters of the film through the adhesive layer composition, achieving optimal wetting characteristics. The specific polymer blend and its proportions are tuned to create surface properties that enable uniform ink drop spreading and joining, eliminating dot gain and banding effects while maintaining high image quality
3Ease of operation
If the film is designed for good adherence to uneven surfaces, then application quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized adhesive layer with specific compositional characteristics only where needed for adhesion, rather than modifying the entire film structure. The adhesive layer is formulated with particular polymer ratios and thickness to provide enhanced adherence to uneven surfaces, while the bulk polyester film maintains simple, cost-effective manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the film structure into distinct functional layers: a polyester base layer for structural integrity and an adhesive layer for surface adherence. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the adhesive layer for adherence to uneven surfaces and the polyester layer for simple manufacturing, thereby improving application quality without significantly increasing overall manufacturing complexity
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 film provides excellent printability with solvent-based inks, maintains long-term durability, adheres well to uneven surfaces without popping up, and is cost-effective, making it suitable for outdoor applications.
Implementation Method 1
In order to achieve good image quality, the ink drops need to spread, join together, and form a substantially uniform, leveled film. Insufficient wetting results in low radial diffusion of the individual ink drops on the surface of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a film having a polyester layer comprising a blend of amorphous polyester and a copolymer of an olefin and a hydrocarbon ester of an acrylic acid, wherein the amount of copolymer is at least 30 parts per 100 parts by weight of amorphous polyester and wherein the polyester layer exhibits an E-modulus at 23 C of at least 200 N/mm2?. The application further discloses a method of making graphic with the film, in particular by ink jet printing and further discloses a method of applying the graphic to a substrate such as a building or a vehicle.