UV-Curable Ink Composition for Planographic Printing Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ink compositions for ink jet recording lack sufficient flexibility and adhesiveness to recording media, and existing methods for producing planographic printing plates are complex and resource-intensive, requiring the development of an ink composition that can cure rapidly without bleeding and provide strong adhesiveness to the support while conforming to deformation without cracking.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition containing a polymerization initiator, a (meth)acrylate with a double bond having a carbon atom with an sp3 hybrid orbital at an α position, and a colorant, which is ejected onto a hydrophilic support and cured with active radiation to form a hydrophobic region with improved flexibility and adhesiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional UV-curable ink compositions containing multifunctional acrylate are used, then curability is improved, but the film flexibility becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite monomer system combining (meth)acrylate with sp3-hybridized carbon at the α-position and cyclic carbonate monomer, creating a synergistic formulation that achieves both high curability and flexibility. The specific structural requirements for the (meth)acrylate component ensure optimal balance between crosslinking density and chain mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise structural parameters for the (meth)acrylate monomer, requiring a double bond with a carbon atom having an sp3 hybrid orbital at the α position. This structural parameter change fundamentally alters the polymer network characteristics, enabling simultaneous achievement of curability and flexibility.
2Reliability
If radiation-curable ink composition is used to form planographic printing plate image regions, then printing durability is improved, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the alkaline developing solution step from the traditional photomechanical plate making process. By using radiation-curable ink that directly forms durable images upon irradiation, the complex chemical development and rinsing steps are removed, simplifying the overall process while maintaining or improving printing durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical-based photomechanical development process with a physical radiation curing process. Instead of using chemical solutions to create image regions, ultraviolet or electron beam radiation directly cures the ink formulation, substituting chemical complexity with a more straightforward physical process.
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 high sensitivity to irradiation, rapid curing, and strong adhesiveness to the support, enabling the production of planographic printing plates with improved durability and flexibility, reducing the complexity and cost of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
an ink composition containing a polymerization initiator (A), a (meth)acrylate having a double bond with a carbon atom having an sp3 hybrid orbital at an α position (B), and a colorant (C)... irradiating the ink composition with active radiation rays to cure the ink composition
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an ink composition comprising a polymerization initiator, a (meth)acrylate having a double bond with a carbon atom having an sp3 hybrid orbital at an α position, and a colorant; an ink jet recording method using the ink composition; a planographic printing plate obtained by using the ink composition; and a method for producing the planographic printing plate.