Solvent-Resistant Printable Substrates with Dual Crosslinked Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printable substrates, such as labels, face durability issues when exposed to harsh environments due to ink fading or removal from the surface, particularly when exposed to organic solvents, and existing non-crosslinked or lightly-crosslinked polymeric layers compromise ink durability.

Innovation Solution

A printable substrate with a base sheet featuring a tie coating and a printable coating, where both coatings are highly crosslinked, incorporating inorganic microparticles and specific crosslinkable polymeric binders, agents, and catalysts, forming a solvent-resistant surface that maintains printability and durability under harsh conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If non-crosslinked or lightly-crosslinked polymeric layers are used to enable ink penetration, then printability is improved, but ink durability and solvent resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprintabilityVSAvoidink durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is divided into two distinct functional layers: a crosslinked printable coating layer that provides printability and ink affinity, and a highly crosslinked durable topcoat layer that provides solvent resistance and ink durability. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the coating have different crosslinking densities and compositions. The printable coating layer has lower crosslinking to maintain ink penetration, while the durable topcoat layer has high crosslinking for solvent resistance. This local variation in properties resolves the contradiction between printability and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If crosslinked polymeric layers are used to improve solvent resistance, then durability is improved, but ink penetration and printability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent resistanceVSAvoidink penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printable coating layer is applied and cured first to establish the ink-receptive surface. Then the durable topcoat layer is applied over it to provide environmental protection. This preliminary action ensures ink penetration occurs in the receptive layer before the protective layer is formed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If highly crosslinked coatings are used to achieve solvent resistance, then chemical durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical durabilityVSAvoidcoating structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex high-crosslinking chemistry is extracted and isolated to only the durable topcoat layer, while the printable coating layer uses simpler crosslinking chemistry. This extraction allows the complex chemistry to be applied only where needed for durability, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining chemical durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 achieves excellent durability and resistance to organic solvents, maintaining print quality and resisting scratches and abrasions, ensuring the longevity of printed images even in harsh chemical and moisture environments.

Implementation Method 1

both coatings are highly crosslinked, incorporating inorganic microparticles and specific crosslinkable polymeric binders, agents, and catalysts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

A tie coating precursor can be applied onto a first surface of a base sheet and cured

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The printable coating can generally include a plurality of inorganic microparticles and a second crosslinked material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComposite material formation: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS8586157B2Solvent resistant printable substrates and their methods of manufacture and use

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 NEENAH INC

AI summary

Printable substrates including a base sheet, a tie coating on a first surface of the base sheet, and a printable coating on the tie coating are generally provided. The tie coating can generally include a first crosslinked material formed from a film-forming binder, a first crosslinkable polymeric binder, a first crosslinking agent, and a first crosslinking catalyst. The printable coating can generally include a plurality of inorganic microparticies and a second crosslinked material formed from a second crosslinkable polymeric binder, a second crosslinking agent, and a second crosslinking catalyst. Methods of forming an image on such printable substrates are also generally provided, along with methods for forming such printable substrates.