Vinyl Ether Monomer Composition for Oxygen-Resistant Curing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cationically-curable inks containing vinyl ether compounds with a cyclic ether skeleton are unsuitable due to moisture absorption, leading to cure inhibition and curing failure in high-humidity conditions, while radically-curable inks suffer from oxygen inhibition and poor substrate adhesion.
Innovation Solution
A monomer composition comprising a hydroxy-free multifunctional vinyl ether compound and a hydroxy-containing vinyl ether compound, combined with a photoacid generator, which allows for rapid curing even in the presence of oxygen and water, and forms a cured product with excellent adhesion to various substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vinyl ether compounds with cyclic ether skeleton are used in cationically-curable inks, then substrate adhesion is improved, but moisture absorption increases leading to cure inhibition and curing failure in high-humidity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by specifying that vinyl ether compounds with cyclic ether skeleton must be less than 30 wt% of total monomers, while hydroxy-containing vinyl ether compounds must be 5-30 wt%. This parameter adjustment reduces moisture absorption while maintaining adhesion through the hydroxy-containing component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite monomer system combining multiple vinyl ether compound types (hydroxy-containing and non-hydroxy-containing) with specific proportions. This composite approach balances the adhesion benefits of cyclic ether structures with the moisture resistance of hydroxy-containing compounds.
2Speed
If radically-curable inks are used, then rapid curability is achieved, but oxygen inhibition causes cure inhibition and poor substrate adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes radical-based curing mechanism with cationic curing mechanism. This replacement eliminates oxygen inhibition (a chemical interference) while maintaining rapid curability through photoacid generator-mediated cationic polymerization of vinyl ether compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the curing mechanism parameter from radical to cationic, and adjusts monomer composition to use vinyl ether compounds (5-80 wt%) instead of traditional radical monomers. This achieves both rapid curing and superior substrate adhesion without oxygen inhibition.
3Ease of operation
If low-viscosity inks are used for good dischargeability, then oxygen diffusion into the ink increases, leading to increased cure inhibition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of oxygen diffusion into a non-issue by using cationic curing mechanism that is inherently resistant to oxygen inhibition. The low-viscosity formulation (achieved through monomer selection) maintains good dischargeability while the cationic mechanism eliminates the harmful interaction with oxygen.
4Strength
If vinyl ether compounds with cyclic ether skeleton are used to improve adhesion, then moisture absorption increases causing cure inhibition by water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the monomer composition parameters by limiting cyclic ether skeleton compounds to less than 30 wt% and introducing hydroxy-containing vinyl ether compounds (5-30 wt%). This parameter change reduces overall moisture absorption while maintaining adhesion through hydrogen bonding capability of hydroxy groups.
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 curable composition exhibits rapid curing, low viscosity, and excellent substrate adhesion, maintaining stability even in humid conditions, reducing unreacted monomers and odor generation, making it suitable for UV-curable inkjet inks.
Implementation Method 1
the monomer composition, when incorporated with a photoacid generator, gives a curable composition that has excellent curing sensitivity and, upon ultraviolet irradiation, can be rapidly cured
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a monomer composition that has rapid curability and can be rapidly cured even in the presence of oxygen and/or water, to form a cured product having excellent adhesion to a wide variety of substrates. The monomer composition according to the present invention includes vinyl ether compounds (A). The monomer composition contains a monofunctional monomer in an amount of 20 to 80 weight percent, a hydroxy-free multifunctional vinyl ether compound in an amount of 5 to 80 weight percent, and a hydroxy-containing vinyl ether compound in an amount of 0.1 weight percent to less than 10 weight percent, where all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the monomer composition.