Water-Based Ink Formulation for Ejection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water-based inks for ink-jet recording face issues with light resistance, water resistance, evaporation characteristics, and ejection stability, particularly due to the elution of compounds from the ink-jet recording apparatus materials into the ink, which can lead to nozzle clogging and poor printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink composition comprising self-dispersing pigments, glycerin as a humectant, dipropylene glycol propyl ether as a penetrant, and an acetylene glycol surfactant, optimized within specific weight percentage ranges to enhance printing quality, evaporation characteristics, and ejection stability, while minimizing the elution of apparatus materials into the ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the amount of penetrant is increased to improve printing quality, then printing quality is improved, but evaporation characteristic of the ink is worsened and compounds from rubber members may be eluted into the ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink formulation by specifying precise amounts of penetrant (2.0-3.0 wt%), humectant (15-25 wt%), and surfactant (0.1-0.3 wt%), along with using self-dispersing pigments with specific surface treatments. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by achieving adequate printing quality while preventing excessive penetrant that would worsen evaporation characteristics and cause rubber elution.
2Manufacturing precision
If the amount of pigment (solid content) is increased to improve printing quality, then printing quality is improved, but evaporation characteristic is worsened and compounds from rubber members may be eluted into the ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pigment concentration parameter to 3.5-4.5 wt% solid content and combines it with specific surfactant (0.1-0.3 wt%) and humectant (15-25 wt%) amounts. This balanced parameter set achieves improved printing quality through adequate pigment concentration while preventing harmful rubber elution by maintaining proper evaporation characteristics through the coordinated formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses self-dispersing pigments with specific surface treatments (such as polyvinyl alcohol or polyacrylic acid coatings) as a composite material approach. This allows the pigment to disperse uniformly in water-based ink without requiring excessive penetrant or surfactant, thereby improving printing quality while preventing rubber compound elution.
3Reliability
If the amount of humectant, penetrant, and surfactant is adjusted to control viscosity and improve evaporation characteristic, then evaporation characteristic is improved, but ejection stability may be worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully balances the parameters of humectant (15-25 wt%), penetrant (2.0-3.0 wt%), and surfactant (0.1-0.3 wt%) to achieve optimal viscosity control. This balanced formulation ensures proper evaporation characteristics while maintaining ejection stability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
4Quantity of substance
If water-soluble dye is used as coloring agent to achieve height of chroma and good water solubility, then chroma and water solubility are improved, but light resistance and water resistance of recording material are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-dispersing pigments with specific surface treatments (such as polyvinyl alcohol or polyacrylic acid coatings) as a composite material alternative to water-soluble dyes. This provides both the desired chroma and water solubility through the pigment dispersion while simultaneously achieving superior light resistance and water resistance that dyes cannot provide.
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 improved printing quality, evaporation characteristics, and ejection stability, with a balanced formulation that maintains a high proportion of self-dispersing pigment and appropriate levels of humectant and surfactant, preventing nozzle clogging and ensuring consistent ink performance.
Implementation Method 1
comprises a self-dispersing pigment, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and an acetylene glycol surfactant
Implementation Method 2
The water-soluble organic solvent comprises glycerin and dipropylene glycol propyl ether. An amount of the glycerin relative to a total amount of the ink is in the range of about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %
Implementation Method 3
an acetylene glycol surfactant. An amount of the acetylene glycol surfactant relative to a total amount of the ink is in a range of about 0.1 wt % to about 0.3 wt %
Implementation Method 4
The water-soluble organic solvent comprises glycerin and dipropylene glycol propyl ether. An amount of the dipropylene glycol propyl ether relative to a total amount of the ink is in the range of about 2.0 wt % to about 3.0 wt %
Data Source
AI summary
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a self-dispersing pigment, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and an acetylene glycol surfactant. An amount of the self-dispersing pigment (solid content) relative to a total amount of the ink is in a range of about 3.5 wt % to about 4.5 wt %. The water-soluble organic solvent includes glycerin and dipropylene glycol propyl ether, an amount of the glycerin relative to a total amount of the ink is in a range of about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %, and an amount of the dipropylene glycol propyl ether relative to a total amount of the ink is in a range of about 2.0 wt % to about 3.0 wt %. An amount of the acetylene glycol surfactant relative to a total amount of the ink is in a range of about 0.1 wt % to about 0.3 wt %.