Water-Based Ink with High-Boiling Solvent for Non-Absorbent Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink-jet printing methods face challenges with prolonged drying times and poor rub fastness when printing on low-water absorbing or non-water absorbing printing media, due to slow ink absorption and lack of adhesion, which is exacerbated by the use of solvent-based inks that can harm the environment.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink formulation containing pigment-containing and pigment-free polyester-based resin particles, along with a high concentration of an organic solvent with a boiling point between 150°C and 235°C, which enhances adhesion, solvent resistance, and rub fastness by forming a uniform film that is compatible with non-water absorbing printing media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solvent-based pigment ink is used to print on low-water absorbing or non-water absorbing printing medium, then adhesion and rub fastness are improved, but environmental harm increases due to organic solvent diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by using a water-based pigment ink containing specific polyester resin particles and a high-boiling-point organic solvent (230-270°C), replacing conventional low-boiling-point organic solvents. This parameter change allows the ink to achieve good adhesion on low-water absorbing media without the environmental harm of volatile organic compound diffusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a high-boiling-point organic solvent that acts as a temporary carrier during printing but remains largely retained in the printed material rather than diffusing into the environment. The solvent serves its purpose of enabling pigment deposition and then remains localized, effectively 'disposable' in terms of environmental release but retained for functional purposes.
2Reliability
If a UV-curing ink is used to print on low-water absorbing or non-water absorbing printing medium, then adhesion and firm resin coating are improved, but safety risks increase due to radical initiator and monomer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hazardous UV-curing components (radical initiators and monomers) with a water-based pigment ink system containing high-boiling-point organic solvent and polyester resin particles. The high-boiling-point solvent serves as a temporary carrier that evaporates slowly or remains retained, eliminating the need for dangerous UV chemicals while achieving comparable adhesion results.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-boiling-point organic solvent acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates pigment deposition on low-water absorbing media without requiring UV-curing chemistry. It provides the necessary solvating power and controlled evaporation characteristics to enable adhesion without introducing hazardous monomers or radical initiators into the system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based pigment ink is used to print on low-water absorbing or non-water absorbing printing medium, then environmental impact is reduced, but adhesion remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the water-based pigment ink by incorporating high-boiling-point organic solvent (230-270°C) and specific polyester resin particles, changing the physical and chemical parameters to achieve both environmental friendliness and adequate adhesion on low-water absorbing media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining water, high-boiling-point organic solvent, polyester resin particles, and pigment particles. This composite material leverages the benefits of each component: water for environmental friendliness, high-boiling-point solvent for controlled evaporation and adhesion promotion, and polyester resin for binding and rub fastness enhancement.
4Loss of time
If conventional water-based ink is used on low-water absorbing printing medium, then drying time is prolonged, but using high-boiling-point organic solvent reduces drying time while maintaining environmental benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the boiling point parameter of the organic solvent from conventional low-boiling-point (high volatility) to high-boiling-point (230-270°C, low volatility). This parameter change reduces the rate of evaporation, allowing controlled drying that shortens perceived drying time while minimizing solvent diffusion into the environment, thus maintaining environmental benefits.
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 water-based ink improves rub fastness, solvent resistance, and adhesion to non-water absorbing printing media, achieving a balance between these properties while minimizing environmental impact and reducing organic solvent retention.
Implementation Method 1
an ink-jet printing method using the water-based ink
Implementation Method 2
improves adhesion to non-water absorbing printing media
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a water-based ink that contains pigment-containing polyester-based resin particles A, pigment-free polyester-based resin particles B, an organic solvent and water, in which a content of an organic solvent C having a boiling point of not higher than 235°C in a whole amount of the organic solvent is not less than 90% by mass. The water-based ink of the present invention can be improved in rub fastness, solvent resistance and adhesion to a non-water absorbing printing medium with good balance therebetween, even when printed on the non-water absorbing printing medium.