Water-Based Primer Composition for Liquid Toner Adhesion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing primer compositions for liquid toners face issues with adhesion to certain substrates, environmental concerns, and high costs, and do not consistently provide satisfactory results across all substrates and printing processes.
Innovation Solution
A water-based primer composition comprising porous submicron silica, starch, and additional components such as polysaccharides, hemicellulose, lignin, styrene-acrylic emulsion, polyvinylacetate, or sulfopolyester, which enhances adhesion and provides a smooth surface for liquid toners without using solvents beyond 10 wt.-%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional liquid toners are used without primer treatment, then the printing process is simple, but adhesion to certain substrates is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a primer coating to the substrate before printing with liquid toner. This preliminary action modifies the substrate surface to improve its receptivity and adhesion properties, ensuring reliable toner attachment while maintaining process simplicity through a straightforward sequential application method
2Reliability
If primer coatings are applied to improve adhesion, then liquid toner adhesion is enhanced, but environmental concerns and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reformulates the primer coating composition to use water as the primary solvent instead of conventional organic solvents. This parameter change in the chemical composition eliminates harmful volatile organic compounds while maintaining the primer's adhesion-enhancing functionality, thereby reducing environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite primer formulation combining inorganic silica particles with organic binder polymers. This composite structure provides both the adhesion promotion needed for reliable toner attachment and the environmental benefits of reduced organic solvent content through the water-based matrix
3Reliability
If high amounts of silica are used in primer to achieve tonerphilic properties, then liquid toner compatibility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the silica content parameter within a specific range (10-40 wt%) rather than using excessive amounts. Additionally, the silica particles are engineered with specific size parameters (0.1-1.0 μm) and surface properties to maximize tonerphilic effects at lower concentrations, thereby achieving good liquid toner compatibility while controlling material costs
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 primer composition achieves improved adhesion of liquid toners to various substrates, including paper and polymeric materials, while being environmentally friendly due to its high renewable content and solvent-free nature, resulting in enhanced printing quality and reduced need for additional coatings.
Implementation Method 1
a porous submicron silica, preferably in the form of a dispersion
Implementation Method 2
starch, preferably in an amount from 10 to 30 wt.-% based on the weight of the entire composition
Data Source
AI summary
A water-based primer composition comprising an porous submicron silica dispersion, preferably in an amount from 10 to 30 wt.-% based on the weight of the entire composition, starch, preferably in an amount from 10 to 30 wt.-% based on the weight of the entire composition, and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a further polysaccharide, a hemicellulose, lignin, a styrene-acrylic emulsion, a polyvinylacetate and a sulfopolyester. Further, use of the composition for preparing a primer layer on a substrate, to a method of printing on a substrate, comprising the steps of preparing a primer layer on at least a part of one surface of the substrate using the composition, and printing on the primer layer using a liquid toner, as well as to an article manufactured with the method is disclosed.