Tungsten Oxide Near-Infrared Dispersion for Offset Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing near-infrared absorbing materials for offset printing, such as phthalocyanine compounds and tin-doped indium oxide, face issues with durability, reading accuracy, and compatibility with rubber blankets, leading to poor performance in offset printing.

Innovation Solution

A near-infrared absorbing fine particle dispersion liquid is developed using composite tungsten oxide or Magneli phase tungsten oxide particles dispersed in vegetable oils with a specific dispersant, maintaining viscosity below 180 mPa.s to ensure effective pulverization and dispersion, allowing for clear contrast in offset printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If organic pigments such as phthalocyanine compounds are used for infrared absorption, then infrared absorption function is achieved, but durability deteriorates due to temperature and ultraviolet ray influence

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidtemperature and ultraviolet ray influence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite tungsten oxide fine particles (MxWyOz) combining tungsten oxide with other metal oxides to create a material that maintains infrared absorption function while achieving superior durability against temperature and ultraviolet degradation, resolving the reliability issue of organic pigments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If tin-doped indium oxide is used for infrared absorption, then infrared absorption function is achieved, but reading accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient contrast in visible and infrared wavelength regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading accuracyVSAvoidinsufficient contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the infrared absorption properties of tungsten oxide by incorporating specific metal elements (M) at controlled ratios (0.001 ≤ x/y ≤ 1), creating local compositional variations that enhance infrared absorption contrast while maintaining visibility, thereby improving reading accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If near infrared absorbing fine particles are dispersed in organic solvents such as toluene, then dispersion is achieved, but compatibility with rubber blankets deteriorates due to dissolution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with rubber blanketsVSAvoiddissolution of rubber blanket

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic solvents like toluene to vegetable oils and vegetable oil-derived compounds, which have different chemical properties that prevent rubber blanket dissolution while still allowing effective dispersion of the infrared absorbing fine particles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If near infrared absorbing fine particles are dispersed in vegetable oils to achieve offset printing compatibility, then compatibility is improved, but viscosity increases making pulverization and dispersion difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffset printing compatibilityVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary dispersion of the infrared absorbing fine particles in the vegetable oil-based solvent before the main mixing process, ensuring proper distribution and preventing aggregation, which facilitates subsequent manufacturing steps despite the higher viscosity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 dispersion liquid provides enhanced durability, improved reading accuracy, and compatibility with offset printing, maintaining clear visibility and contrast in the near-infrared region without dissolving rubber blankets.

Implementation Method 1

a near infrared absorbing fine particle dispersion liquid having an absorption ability in a near infrared region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-infrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3252116B1Near-infrared ray absorbing microparticle dispersion solution and production method thereof

Publication Date: 2019.12.18 SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO LTD

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AI summary

Provided is a near infrared absorbing fine particle dispersion liquid, which can be applied to offset printing, including: a solvent of one or more kinds selected from vegetable oils and vegetable oil-derived compounds; near infrared absorbing fine particles of one or more kinds selected from 10 mass% more and 25 mass% or less of a composite tungsten oxide expressed by MxWyOz, and/or a tungsten oxide having a Magneli phase expressed by a general formula WyOz; and a dispersant soluble in the solvent and having a fatty acid in its structure, wherein a viscosity is 180 mPa/S or less.