Radiation-Curable Ink Jet Composition Curability Flexibility Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation-curable ink jet compositions face challenges with insufficient curability and flexibility, along with high odor, which affect the quality and storage stability of the cured films, especially when containing 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate (VEEA).
Innovation Solution
A radiation-curable ink jet composition comprising monomer A with a vinyl ether group-containing (meth)acrylate, monomer B with a (meth)acryloyloxy or (meth)acryloyl group and multiple nitrogen and oxygen atoms, and monomer C, such as N-vinylcaprolactam, to enhance curability, flexibility, and reduce odor, with specific mass ratios and ranges to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the proportion of VEEA is increased to improve curability, then the curability of the ink composition is improved, but the hardness of the cured film increases causing lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing monomer A with a specific molecular structure containing both vinyl ether and acrylate groups, and monomer C (N-vinylcaprolactam) with lactam rings. This compositional parameter change allows achieving high curability while maintaining flexibility, resolving the contradiction between curability and flexibility that existed with conventional VEEA-based formulations.
2Reliability
If the proportion of VEEA is increased to improve curability, then the curability of the ink composition is improved, but the odor of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition by replacing conventional monomers with monomer A and monomer C that have different molecular structures and lower volatility. This parameter change in composition achieves high curability while significantly reducing odor, resolving the contradiction between curability and odor control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the content of monomer C is increased to improve flexibility, then the flexibility of the cured film is improved, but the storage stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the content parameter of monomer C to be within a specific range (5-30 mass%) relative to total polymerizable compounds. This parameter optimization achieves the balance between flexibility and storage stability, preventing both excessive polymerization during storage and insufficient flexibility in the cured film.
4Reliability
If the content of monomer A is increased to improve curability, then the curability is improved, but the viscosity increases affecting ink jet printing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the content parameter of monomer A to be within a specific range (10-40 mass%) relative to total polymerizable compounds. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient curability while maintaining appropriate viscosity for ink jet printing efficiency, resolving the contradiction between curability and printing 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 composition achieves high curability, flexibility, and reduced odor, enabling stable storage and improved image quality with UV-LED curing, while maintaining low viscosity for efficient ink jet printing.
Implementation Method 1
radiation-curable ink jet composition containing at least one monomer A represented by the following general formula (I): CH2═CR1—COOR2—O—CH═CH—R3
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the radiation-curable ink jet composition with light emitted from an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED)
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation-curable ink jet composition contains at least one monomer A represented by general formula (I): CH2═CR1—COOR2—O—CH═CH—R3, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a divalent organic moiety having a carbon number of 2 to 20, and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic moiety having a carbon number of 1 to 11. The composition also contains a cyclic, linear, or branched monomer B containing a (meth)acryloyloxy or (meth)acryloyl group in which the total number of nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms other than the oxygen atoms contained in the (meth)acryloyloxy or (meth)acryloyl group is at least 2, and at least one monomer C represented by the following general formula (II):wherein n represents an integer of 2 to 6. The total content of monomer A is 10% by mass or more relative to the total mass of the ink jet composition.