UV-Curable Ink Jet Composition for Enhanced Curing and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultraviolet-curable ink jet ink compositions face challenges in achieving optimal curability and storage stability, as evident from the limitations of the ink composition disclosed in JP-A-2008-280383.

Innovation Solution

An ultraviolet-curable ink jet ink composition is formulated with a specific monomer A, a (meth)acrylated amine compound, a hindered amine compound, and a photopolymerization initiator, including acylphosphine oxide and thioxanthone compounds, to enhance curability and storage stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ultraviolet-curable ink jet ink composition is used, then basic curing function is achieved, but curability and storage stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurability and storage stabilityVSAvoidink composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the molecular weight (500-5000) and functional group content (0.5-30 mass%) of the (meth)acrylated amine compound, as well as the hindered amine compound content (0.05-3 mass%). These parameter optimizations resolve the contradiction by achieving excellent curability and storage stability through precise compositional control rather than adding complex processing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining monomer A with specific ratios of (meth)acrylated amine compound and hindered amine compound. This composite approach resolves the technical contradiction by creating a synergistic formulation where each component contributes to both curability and storage stability, eliminating the need for more complex device-level solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If higher content of photopolymerizable compounds is used to improve curability, then curing efficiency increases, but storage stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecuring efficiencyVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hindered amine compound acts as an intermediary that protects the photopolymerizable components from premature reaction during storage. By incorporating this stabilizing agent at 0.05-3 mass%, the patent enables high photopolymerizable compound content for fast curing while preventing degradation during storage, thus resolving the contradiction between curing efficiency and storage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by including the hindered amine compound in the ink formulation before storage. This compound provides prior protection against polymerization and degradation, allowing the ink to maintain stability during storage even with high photopolymerizable compound content, and then cure efficiently when exposed to UV light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If (meth)acrylated amine compound content is increased to enhance curability, then ink curing performance improves, but ink composition becomes less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink curing performanceVSAvoidink composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes by optimizing the (meth)acrylated amine compound content to 0.5-30 mass% and controlling its molecular weight to 500-5000. This balanced composition achieves excellent curing performance while maintaining storage stability, avoiding the instability that would result from excessive amine compound content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition exhibits improved curability and storage stability, with the monomer A contributing to satisfactory ink curing and the hindered amine compound ensuring stability over time, while the photopolymerization initiator facilitates efficient curing under specific UV radiation conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet-curable ink jet ink composition containing: a monomer A represented by Formula (I)... and a photopolymerization initiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS9873808B2Ultraviolet-curable ink jet ink composition
Publication Date: 2018.01.23 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is an ultraviolet-curable ink jet ink composition with excellent curability and storage stability, the composition containing a monomer A represented by Formula (I): CH2═CR1—COOR2—O—CH═CH—R3 (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a C2-C20 divalent organic residue, and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C11 monovalent organic residue); a (meth)acrylated amine compound; a hindered amine compound other than the (meth)acrylated amine compound; and a photopolymerization initiator.