UV Aqueous Inkjet Curing on Absorptive Media Without Pretreatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording methods using ultraviolet-curable aqueous inks face challenges with weak coating film strength, particularly on absorptive recording media, necessitating pretreatment which increases process complexity.
Innovation Solution
Simultaneously apply ultraviolet-curable aqueous ink to an absorptive recording medium while irradiating with an active energy ray, maintaining the recording surface temperature between 35°C and 120°C to promote curing and solvent volatilization, thereby enhancing film strength without pretreatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ultraviolet-curable aqueous ink is used for inkjet recording, then environmental and safety properties are improved, but coating film strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recording medium is preheated to 35°C or higher before ink application to prepare the surface for optimal ink reception and curing, enabling strong coating film formation without pretreatment liquids
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the recording medium is changed and maintained at 35°C or higher during the recording process, which fundamentally alters the ink drying and curing behavior to achieve both environmental safety and strong adhesion
2Strength
If pretreatment liquid is applied before ink application, then coating film strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pretreatment liquid step is completely removed from the recording process. Instead, the recording medium itself is preheated to create optimal conditions for direct ink application and curing, eliminating the need for separate pretreatment liquids and simplifying the overall process
Solution Approach 2:
The recording medium performs its own surface preparation function through thermal preheating, eliminating the need for external pretreatment liquids. The heated surface automatically creates optimal conditions for ink reception and curing
3Strength
If solventless UV ink is used, then coating film strength is improved, but environmental properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature parameter is changed to 35°C or higher, which fundamentally changes the drying mechanism from solvent evaporation to surface drying followed by UV curing. This enables the use of environmentally friendly aqueous inks while achieving strong coating films
Solution Approach 2:
The drying mechanism is substituted from thermal evaporation of solvents to UV-induced photopolymerization. This replacement eliminates harmful solvents while maintaining strong coating film formation through the photocurable resin system
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 produces a printed coating film with sufficient strength and environmental safety, reducing process steps and improving image quality by ensuring effective curing and minimizing ink penetration.
Implementation Method 1
an inkjet ink containing at least a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and water
Implementation Method 2
a surface temperature of a recording surface of the absorptive recording medium is 35°C or higher at the start of Step (a)
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording method including: (a) applying an inkjet ink containing at least a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and water to an absorptive recording medium; and (b) irradiating the absorptive recording medium with an active energy ray simultaneously with the application of the inkjet ink.