Wear-Resistant Inkjet Coating via Nanoparticle Dispersion

The patent changes the particle size parameter of inorganic particles from conventional larger sizes to nanometer scale (1-100 nm), which fundamentally alters the ink's flow properties. This parameter change enables the ink to maintain low viscosity suitable for inkjet printing while still providing wear resistance when cured, as the nanoscale particles can be dispersed uniformly without significantly increasing viscosity.

The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining inorganic nanoparticles with specific organic components including polymerizable monomers, polymerizable oligomers, and photopolymerization initiators. This composite structure allows the ink to exhibit both low viscosity for easy application and high wear resistance after curing, as the inorganic nanoparticles provide hardness while the organic matrix provides flowability.

The patent changes the particle size parameter to nanometer scale (1-100 nm), which prevents aggregation and clogging. The extremely small size allows particles to remain suspended uniformly in the ink without settling or clumping, enabling reliable passage through inkjet nozzles and wire coating rolls while still providing effective wear resistance after the layer is formed and cured.

The patent introduces surfactants and dispersants as intermediary substances that mediate between the inorganic particles and the ink medium. These intermediaries prevent particle aggregation by providing steric or electrostatic repulsion, ensuring uniform dispersion and preventing clogging of coating equipment while maintaining the wear-resistant properties of the inorganic particles.