Solvent Resistant Printable Substrates with Crosslinked Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printable substrates, such as labels, suffer from ink fading and removal due to exposure to harsh chemicals, particularly organic solvents, and lack durability in ink-jet printing processes.
Innovation Solution
A printable substrate comprising a base sheet made of a cellulosic nonwoven web with a crosslinked printable coating containing inorganic microparticles and a crosslinkable polymeric binder, which provides solvent resistance and durability to printed images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crosslinked polymeric layers are used to improve solvent resistance, then durability against organic solvents is improved, but ink penetration and affinity are reduced leading to poor print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The printable coating is applied to the substrate before printing, creating a pre-prepared surface that balances ink receptivity and solvent resistance. The coating contains crosslinkable polymeric material that will form a protective network after printing, but remains uncrosslinked during printing to allow proper ink penetration and affinity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the degree and timing of crosslinking as a key parameter. The polymeric binder is crosslinked after printing through exposure to moisture, heat, or other environmental conditions, transforming the coating from an ink-receptive state to a solvent-resistant state. This temporal separation of crosslinking allows both good print quality and durability.
2Manufacturing precision
If non-crosslinked or lightly-crosslinked polymeric layers are used to enable ink penetration, then print quality is improved, but solvent resistance and durability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The printable coating is applied to the substrate before printing, creating a pre-prepared surface that balances ink receptivity and solvent resistance. The coating contains crosslinkable polymeric material that will form a protective network after printing, but remains uncrosslinked during printing to allow proper ink penetration and affinity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the degree and timing of crosslinking as a key parameter. The polymeric binder is crosslinked after printing through exposure to moisture, heat, or other environmental conditions, transforming the coating from an ink-receptive state to a solvent-resistant state. This temporal separation of crosslinking allows both good print quality and durability.
3Strength
If crosslinking is increased to improve durability, then glass transition temperature increases and solvent resistance improves, but ink affinity decreases leading to less durability in printed material
Solution Approach 1:
The printable coating is applied to the substrate before printing, creating a pre-prepared surface that balances ink receptivity and solvent resistance. The coating contains crosslinkable polymeric material that will form a protective network after printing, but remains uncrosslinked during printing to allow proper ink penetration and affinity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the degree and timing of crosslinking as a key parameter. The polymeric binder is crosslinked after printing through exposure to moisture, heat, or other environmental conditions, transforming the coating from an ink-receptive state to a solvent-resistant state. This temporal separation of crosslinking allows both good print quality and durability.
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 substrate maintains excellent print quality and durability under harsh conditions, including exposure to organic solvents, ensuring the printed images remain intact and sharp.
Implementation Method 1
a crosslinked printable coating that includes a plurality of inorganic microparticles and a crosslinked material formed from a crosslinkable polymeric binder and a crosslinking agent
Implementation Method 2
an ink-receiving layer, formed on the substrate, which includes a pigment, a self-emulsifying cationic resin including a water-insoluble acrylic copolymer having a cationic functional group and capable of being emulsified in water without assistance of an emulsifying agent
Data Source
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AI summary
A printable substrate, along with methods of its formation, is generally provided. The printable coating can include a base sheet defining a first surface and a second surface and a printable coating on the first surface of the base sheet. The base sheet can be constructed from a cellulosic nonwoven web and a saturant. The printable coating can include a plurality of inorganic microparticles and a crosslinked material, where the crosslinked material is formed from a crosslinkable polymeric binder and a crosslinking agent. An image can be formed on the printable substrate, such as by printing an ink composition onto the printable substrate (e.g., onto the printable coating).