Water-Based UV Curable Inkjet Recording Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ink jet recording methods using water-based UV curable inks face issues with bleeding, low adhesion, glossiness, and chroma, especially during continuous printing, due to insufficient wettability and surface treatment requirements.
Innovation Solution
An image recording method involving multiple cycles of ejecting water-based UV curable ink onto a non-absorptive substrate, followed by immediate ultraviolet exposure to form a cured image, with a static contact angle of the second ink ranging from 10 to 50°, and optimizing UV irradiation conditions to minimize bleeding and enhance adhesion and chroma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If water-based UV curable ink is used for ink jet recording, then VOC emissions are eliminated and drying speed is improved, but ink stability, wettability, and image quality deteriorate during continuous printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the water-based UV curable ink by incorporating specific surfactants and adjusting the ratio of water-soluble photopolymerizable compounds to photopolymerization initiators. This changes the physicalchemical properties of the ink to improve stability and wettability while maintaining the VOC-free advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining water-based UV curable resin, photopolymerization initiator, surfactant, and pigment in specific proportions. This composite structure provides both the environmental benefits of water-based ink and the performance characteristics of conventional inks
2Speed
If water-based UV curable ink is used for recording, then drying speed is improved, but adhesion and glossiness of the formed image deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the molecular weight and functional group composition of the water-soluble photopolymerizable compound to optimize both drying speed and adhesion. By selecting compounds with appropriate hydroxyl value and carboxyl value, the ink achieves rapid water evaporation while forming strong bonds with the recording medium
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactant as an intermediary substance that mediates between the water-based ink and the recording medium surface. The surfactant improves wetting and adhesion during the drying process, ensuring strong bonding while maintaining fast drying characteristics
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional ink jet recording is performed, then image formation is achieved, but bleeding occurs and image quality decreases during continuous printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary surface treatment to the recording medium before ink ejection, including corona discharge or plasma treatment, to enhance surface energy and wettability. This preliminary preparation prevents bleeding during subsequent continuous printing operations while maintaining ease of image formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the viscosity and surface tension parameters of the water-based UV curable ink through additive selection and concentration adjustment. These parameter changes prevent ink spreading and bleeding on the recording medium while ensuring proper ink jet ejection and image formation
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
This method achieves excellent anti-bleeding properties, high adhesion, high glossiness, and high chroma, with reduced ink usage and improved image quality by adjusting the contact angle and UV exposure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
exposing to ultraviolet rays the first color ink image to form a first UV cured color ink image
Implementation Method 2
a static contact angle of the second water-based UV curable color ink to the first UV cured color ink image is in the range of from 10 to 50°
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in an image recording method comprising the steps of ejecting a first water-based UV curable color ink onto a non-absorptive substrate to form a first color ink image on the non-absorptive substrate, exposing to ultraviolet rays the first color ink image to form a first UV cured color ink image, ejecting a second water-based UV curable color ink onto the first UV cured color ink image to form a second color ink image on the first UV cured color ink image, and exposing to ultraviolet rays the second color ink image to form a second UV cured color ink image, wherein a static contact angle of the second water-based UV curable color ink to the first UV cured color ink image is in the range of from 10 to 50°.