Radiation-Curable Ink Composition for Planographic Printing Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording methods face challenges in achieving high sensitivity, flexibility, and adhesion of images on planographic printing plates, particularly when using radiation-curable inks, which often require multifunctional monomers that compromise image flexibility and curing speed.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition incorporating a polymerization initiator, an ester or amide of (meth)acrylic acid with a 1,3-dioxolane or 1,3-dioxane ring skeleton, and a colorant, which enhances curing speed and flexibility without the need for large quantities of multifunctional monomers, allowing for high sensitivity and improved adhesion to recording media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multifunctional monomer is used in large quantity to maintain curing speed, then the curing efficiency is improved, but the flexibility of the cured image deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the monomer system by introducing a specific bifunctional monomer (acryloyloxyethyl 3,4-epoxycarboxylate) with particular functional groups and molecular structure. This specific parameter change enables the monomer to provide both curing functionality and flexibility without requiring large quantities of multifunctional monomers, thus resolving the contradiction between curing speed and image flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite monomer system combining a bifunctional monomer (acryloyloxyethyl 3,4-epoxycarboxylate) with a monofunctional monomer (acryloyloxyethyl 2-acryloyloxyethyl phosphonate). This composite approach allows the system to achieve both high curing speed through the bifunctional monomer and excellent flexibility through the specific combination of monomers, avoiding the need to rely solely on large quantities of multifunctional monomers that would compromise flexibility.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sensitivity of radiation-curable ink is heightened to reduce electric power consumption, then the curing efficiency is improved, but the adhesion of the cured image to the support deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating a specific bifunctional monomer with epoxycarboxylate groups that provide both high radiation sensitivity and strong adhesion properties. This parameter change allows the ink to cure efficiently with low energy input while maintaining excellent adhesion to the support, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and adhesion.
3Speed
If the sensitivity of radiation-curable ink is heightened to achieve rapid curing, then the curing speed is improved, but the flexibility and adhesion of the cured image deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters of the monomer system by using a bifunctional monomer with specific functional groups (epoxycarboxylate and phosphonate) that enable rapid curing through high radiation sensitivity while simultaneously providing flexibility and adhesion. This targeted parameter change resolves the contradiction by making the monomer itself the source of both curing speed and mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite monomer system where the bifunctional monomer (acryloyloxyethyl 3,4-epoxycarboxylate) works synergistically with the monofunctional monomer (acryloyloxyethyl 2-acryloyloxyethyl phosphonate). This composite material approach enables the system to achieve rapid curing through the bifunctional monomer's dual reactivity while the specific combination maintains flexibility and adhesion, avoiding the trade-off that would occur with conventional multifunctional monomers alone.
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 composition achieves rapid curing with high sensitivity, maintaining image flexibility and adhesion, thereby improving the durability and quality of printed images on planographic printing plates.
Implementation Method 1
an ink composition which cures with high sensitivity upon irradiation with radiation to form a high-quality image
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an ink composition comprising (A) a polymerization initiator; (B) an ester or amide of (meth)acrylic acid having a 1,3-dioxolane ring skeleton or a 1,3-dioxane ring skeleton; and (C) a colorant; wherein the content of component (B) in the ink composition is in a range of 3 to 35% by mass on the basis of the total mass of the ink composition. The invention further provides an inkjet recording method and a method for producing a planographic printing plate, each of which includes at least (I) ejecting the ink composition onto a hydrophilic support and (II) curing the ink composition by irradiating the ejected ink composition with active radiation so as to form a hydrophobic image region on the hydrophilic support. The invention furthermore provides a planographic printing plate formed by the method for producing a planographic printing plate.