JPH10323984A - Ink jet nozzle head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance abrasion resistance, long term reliability and bonding force by treating the nozzle face with a fluorine based silane coupling agent. SOLUTION: The surface of an ink jet nozzle is treated with a fluorine based silane coupling agent. The fluorine based silane coupling agent having an aromatic ring enhances both water repellence and oil repellence of ink. When a fluorocarbon chain is introduced to the aromatic ring itself, properties of water repellence, lubrication, mold releasing, etc., are enhanced and since oil repellence is also exhibited, the ink component does not adhere easily and contamination is suppressed. When a granular and/or fibrous material, a fraky material or a mixture thereof is dispersed into the fluorine based silane coupling agent and a film thereof is formed, both abrasion resistance and water repellence can be satisfied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet nozzle head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the surface of a substrate is treated with a silane coupling agent, or in the case of an organic substrate, the surface is treated with a coupling agent, and then a fluoropolymer is formed on the substrate or an oligomer is formed. There is known a method of improving the water repellent effect by forming a polymer film (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 15374/1990).
4, JP-A-7-89077). However, the above-mentioned polymerized film is formed to be thick, and there is a problem in terms of bonding strength. The film is peeled off due to peeling or scratching, and the film is deteriorated (water repellency) in a maintenance process on a subsystem for wiping and removing ink on the nozzle surface. Degradation), peeling, scratches, and wear.
There is also known a method of applying a water-repellent effect by coating an ink jet nozzle head with a fluorine-based polymer or by eutectoid plating a Ni-fluorine-based polymer (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-228808).

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet nozzle head having improved abrasion resistance, long-term reliability and bonding strength.

[0004]

A feature of the present invention resides in an ink jet nozzle head whose nozzle surface is treated with a fluorine-based silane coupling agent. In the present invention, the use of a fluorinated silane coupling agent on the surface of the inkjet nozzle enables direct application and curing reaction to form a film, so that the process can be shortened compared to the prior art, and the inkjet nozzle head Was able to improve the wear resistance, long-term reliability and bonding strength.

[0005] As a fluorine-based silane coupling agent,
A fluorinated silane coupling agent having an aromatic ring is preferred because it has both good water repellency and good oil repellency to the ink. In addition, the fluorine-containing silane coupling agent having an aromatic ring, when a fluorine carbon chain is introduced into the aromatic ring itself, water repellency, lubrication, properties such as mold release are improved, and oil repellency is further exhibited. It was possible to provide an inkjet nozzle head to which an ink component is hardly attached and which is hardly stained.

The fluorine-based silane coupling agent having a fluorine carbon chain introduced into an aromatic ring is synthesized by bonding a fluorine carbon chain, for example, CF _3, to an aromatic ring. There is an advantage that the control ratio of water repellency (contact angle) can be arbitrarily set because the bond ratio with the compound can be arbitrarily set. On the other hand, in the conventional example, since the control is based on the amount of the oligomer and a minute local difference occurs due to a difference in the molecular weight distribution concentration due to the mixing, hydrophilicity may be locally expressed.

However, since the thin film formed by the fluorine-based silane coupling agent of the present invention is a thin film having a thickness of 1,000 to 5,000 °, it may be worn by contact with a recording paper or the like or wiping with a hard material. Therefore, particles and / or fibrous materials in the fluorine-based silane coupling agent,
Abrasion resistance and water repellency can be achieved at the same time by forming a film by dispersing the flakes or a mixture of both. In addition, particles and / or
Alternatively, by dispersing the fibrous material, a micro space 6 is formed between the ink droplet 2 and the surface of the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film as shown in FIG. It becomes even smaller. In particular, particles mainly touch the wiping blade to impart abrasion resistance to the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film, and control the thickness of the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film with fibrous and / or flake-like materials. Since it is possible to disperse the particles or fibrous substances, only flakes or a mixture of the two in the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film, it is better to disperse both of them in the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film because of the wear resistance of the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film. , And the thickness can be controlled to form irregularities on the surface, which is preferable because the reliability of the thin film is improved.

The particles and the fibrous material are composed of an organic material and an inorganic material. As the particles,
As the inorganic material, SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Si, Ca
Ni, Mo, W as metallic materials such as F ₂ and carbon
And the like. Examples of the organic material include acrylic, nylon, and carbonate-based materials.
Although the particles vary depending on the thickness of the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film, both the inorganic material and the organic material preferably have a diameter of about 0.5 to 5 μm. Further, as the fibrous material, SiN, Si
C, SiON, AlN, TiN, Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO
₂ or the like, represents the M (M is a metal element as a metal-based material,
W, Mo, Sn, Zn, etc.) whiskers (acicular crystals),
Examples of the organic material include an acrylic material, a nylon material, and a carbonate material. Both fibrous and flake-like materials,
The thickness of each of the inorganic material (including whiskers) and the organic material is 1 μm or less, and the length is about 1 to 30 μm. If the thickness exceeds 1 μm, the control of the granular material and the thickness of the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film become large, and the film is easily peeled. If the length is less than 1 μm, secondary granulation occurs, and if it exceeds 10 μm, fibrous materials and / or flakes are liable to be superposed.
m is preferable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the fluorine-based silane coupling agent is embedded in the void portion (hole portion) 7 of the scratch mark by providing the coating layer on the nozzle surface having the uneven scratch mark. As compared with the case where the coating layer is provided on a smooth nozzle surface, the adhesive strength and abrasion resistance of the coating layer are improved, and these effects are maintained for a long time, so that long-term reliability of the inkjet nozzle can be obtained. The scratch marks show the nozzle surface as # 1800
It can be formed by polishing with an abrasive cloth of about # 1000. The fluorine-based silane coupling agent layer has one accumulated in the void portion of the scratch mark, and one accumulated in the surface portion, but the one accumulated in the void portion has a long-term stability that the coating layer plays. Contribute mainly. Further, even in a case where the fluorine-based silane coupling agent is partially accumulated in the void portion instead of the entire void portion of the scratch mark, it sufficiently contributes to the stability of the fluorine-based silane coupling agent storage. can do. further,
The fluorine silane coupling agent may be filled only in the void portion and may not be accumulated on the nozzle surface portion.

As a material for the ink jet nozzle head substrate, a metal plate such as a Ni plate or a SUS plate is usually used. An oxide film having a thickness of about 50 to 200 mm is usually formed on the surface of the substrate. Since the oxide film is removed in a washing or surface treatment step, and the plane of the metal plate is smooth, the surface of the nozzle substrate material is formed before forming the coating layer with the fluorine-based silane coupling agent. It is desirable to form an oxide film positively. For example, in the case of Ni, N
Heat treatment of i (111) and Ni (100) at 250 to 300 ° C. to form crystallized Ni and a surface oxide film (NiO) of 200 to 300 ° C. to form a fluorine-based silane coupling with the nozzle plate material The adhesive strength of the agent could be increased. The oxide film also has a function (protection function) of reducing the solubility of the substrate material in the ink. In the present heat, particularly, as described above, the ink jet nozzle with the scratch mark added to the surface and the oxide film formed thereon is improved in abrasion resistance, long-term reliability and bonding strength. preferable.

When the substrate is a SUS substrate, the substrate is light-etched with an acidic FeCl ₃ solution, washed with water, and dried to form irregularities of 500 to 6000 ° and a thickness of 100 to 3 mm.
It is possible to form a surface oxide film having a thickness of 00 °. Also in this case, the same effect as in the case of forming an oxide film by mechanically adding a scratch mark on the nozzle substrate surface as described above can be obtained.

The fluorinated silane coupling used in the present invention
For example, the following 1, 2, and 3
Is exemplified. 1. RSi (OCH_Three)_ThreeType fluorinated silane coupling
(Where R represents an aliphatic chain) CF_Three(CF_Two)_ThreeCH_TwoCH_TwoSi (OCH_Three)_Three CF_Three(CF_Two)_FiveCH_TwoCH_TwoSi (OCH_Three)_Three CF_Three(CF_Two)₇CH_TwoCH_TwoSi (OCH_Three)_Three CF_Three(CF_Two)₉CH_TwoCH_TwoSi (OCH_Three)_Three (CF_Three)_TwoCF (CF_Two)_FourCH_TwoCH_TwoSi (OCH_Three)_Three (CF_Three)_TwoCF (CF_Two)₆CH_TwoCH_TwoSi (OCH_Three)_Three (CF_Three)_TwoCF (CF_Two)₈CH_TwoCH_TwoSi (OCH_Three)_Three 2. RSiCH_Three(OCH_Three)_TwoType fluorinated silane cup
Ring agent CF_Three(CF_Two)_ThreeCH_TwoCH_TwoSiCH_Three(OCH_Three)_Two CF_Three(CF_Two)_FiveCH_TwoCH_TwoSiCH_Three(OCH_Three)_Two  CF_Three(CF_Two)₇CH_TwoCH_TwoSiCH_Three(OCH_Three)_Two CF_Three(CF_Two)₉CH_TwoCH_TwoSiCH_Three(OCH_Three)_Two (CF_Three)_TwoCF (CF_Two)_FourCH_TwoCH_TwoSiCH_Three(OC
H_Three)_Two (CF_Three)_TwoCF (CF_Two)₆CH_TwoCH_TwoSiCH_Three(OC
H_Three)_Two (CF_Three)_TwoCF (CF_Two)₈CH_TwoCH_TwoSiCH_Three(OC
H_Three)_Two The fluorine-based silane coupling agent has a large number of n.
The higher the water repellency, the greater the water repellency. In addition, RSi (OCH_Three)_Threeof
Can form a cyclohexane network
Since we can, RSiCH_Three(OCH_Three)_TwoBetter oil repellency than
And the bonding strength with the substrate is large.

3. Fluorine silane coupling agent having an aromatic ring Examples of the fluorine silane coupling agent having an aromatic ring include the following (1) and (2). (1) R'-Si (OCH 3) 3 type fluorine-based silane coupling agent (wherein, R 'represents an aromatic _{ring) CF 3 (C 6 H 4} ) C 2 H 4 Si (OCH 3) 3 CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) ₃ (C ₆ H ₄ ) CH ₂ CH ₂ Si (OCH ₃ )
_{3 CF 3 (CF 2) 5} (C 6 H 4) CH 2 CH 2 Si (OCH 3)
₃ CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) ₇ (C ₆ H ₄ ) CH ₂ CH ₂ Si (OCH ₃ )
₃ CF ₃ (C ₆ H ₄ ) C ₂ H ₄ SiCH ₃ (OCH ₃ ) ₂ (2) R′-SiCH ₃ (OCH ₃ ) ₂ type fluorinated silane coupling agent CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) ₃ (C ₆ H ₄ ) CH ₂ CH ₂ SiCH ₃ (OC
H ₃ ) ₂ CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) ₅ (C ₆ H ₄ ) CH ₂ CH ₂ SiCH ₃ (OC
_{H 3) 2 CF 3 (CF} 2) 7 (C 6 H 4) CH 2 CH 2 SiCH 3 (OC
H _{3) 2} wherein _{CF 3 (C 6 H 4)} C 2 H 4 Si (OCH 3) 3, CF 3 (CF 2) 3 (C 6 H 4) CH 2 CH 2 Si (OCH 3)
₃ , CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) ₅ (C ₆ H ₄ ) CH ₂ CH ₂ Si (OCH ₃ )
₃ , CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) ₇ (C ₆ H ₄ ) CH ₂ CH ₂ Si (OCH ₃ )
_The fluorine-based silane coupling material represented by R′-Si (OCH ₃ ) ₃ such as ₃ or the like is more suitable for CF ₃ (C ₆ H ₄ ) C ₂ H ₄ SiCH ₃ (OCH ₃ ) ₂ and CF ₃ ( CF ₂ ) ₃ (C ₆ H ₄ ) CH ₂ CH ₂ SiCH ₃ (OC
H ₃ ) ₂ CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) ₅ (C ₆ H ₄ ) CH ₂ CH ₂ SiCH ₃ (OC
_{H 3) 2 CF 3 (CF} 2) 7 (C 6 H 4) CH 2 CH 2 SiCH 3 (OC
_{H 3) R'-SiCH 3 (} OCH 3 such as ₂₎ large oil- water repellency than a fluorine-based silane coupling material represented by _2, the bonding strength is large.

The fluorine-based silane coupling material is formed by a method such as dipping, spin coating, screen printing, or flexographic printing.
Siloxane bonding can be achieved by performing the heat treatment for 0 minute and heat curing at 120 to 180 ° C. for 30 minutes. Further, as the secondary heating, the heating is performed at 250 to 350 ° C. for 30 minutes as the secondary heating, followed by rapid cooling, thereby improving the function. CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) nCH ₂ C as a fluorine-based silane coupling agent
FIG. 4 shows the reaction results when an oxide film was formed using H ₂ SiCH ₃ (OCH ₃ ) ₂ . Further, CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) nCH ₂ CH ₂ Si (O
FIG. 5 shows a reaction result when an oxide film was formed using CH ₃ ) ₃ .

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A fluorine-based silane coupling agent shown in Table 1 below, which is obtained by adding 0.5 to 10 wt% of CaF _{2 having} a particle size of 0.5 to 1 μm as inorganic material particles to N
It was applied and cured at a layer thickness of about 1,000 to 5,000 ° on the surface of the nozzle made of i. FIG. 1 shows the state of the coating layer.
On the surface of the nozzle substrate, a coating layer is formed in which the CaF ₂ particles are wrapped with a water-repellent film composed of the fluorine-based silane coupling agent. Before the application of the fluorine silane coupling agent, as shown in FIG.
A scratch mark is added with an abrasive cloth of about # 1800 to # 1000, and a width of about 0.2 to 0.8 μm and a depth of about 0.2 to 0.8 μm.
A void portion 7 of about 0.6 μm may be formed,
In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the void portion 7 was filled with a fluorine-based silane coupling agent, so that long-term stability could be obtained.

[0016]

[Table 1]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. 1. An ink jet nozzle head, wherein the nozzle surface is treated with a fluorine-based silane coupling agent. 2. The inkjet nozzle head according to the above item 1, wherein the fluorine-based silane coupling agent is a fluorine-based silane coupling agent having an aromatic ring. 3. 2. The inkjet nozzle head according to the above item 2, wherein the fluorine-based silane coupling agent having an aromatic ring is capable of forming a siloxane network. 4. The inkjet nozzle head according to any one of the above items 1 to 3, wherein the fluorine-based silane coupling agent is a mixture of particles and / or fibrous substances. 5. The inkjet nozzle head according to any one of the above items 1 to 4, wherein the particles are composed of an inorganic material and / or an organic material. 6. The nozzle head for inkjet according to any one of the above 1 to 5, wherein the nozzle surface to be treated with the fluorinated silane coupling agent has irregularities. 7. The inkjet nozzle head according to any one of the above 1 to 6, wherein the nozzle surface to be treated with the fluorine-based silane coupling agent has been oxidized. 8. An ink jet nozzle head characterized in that a nozzle surface formed of a SUS substrate is light-etched with an FeCl ₃ solution.

[0018]

【effect】

1. The water repellent film is a thin film on the ink jet nozzle head, and the thin film can be formed in one step. 2. Claim 2 Water and oil repellency of the ink jet nozzle head can be improved. 3. Claim 3 The wear resistance and reliability of the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film can be improved. 4. Claims 4 and 5 It is possible to improve the adhesion and long-term reliability of the fluorine-based silane coupling thin film. 5. Claim 6 The etching process and the formation of an oxide thin film can be performed in one step, so that the adhesion of the fluorine-based silane coupling layer and the long-term reliability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a nozzle and a coating layer formed by wrapping inorganic particles (CaF ₂ ) formed on the surface of the nozzle with a water-repellent film.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a nozzle and a coating layer formed by covering inorganic particles (CaF ₂ ) and fibrous materials formed on the surface of the nozzle with a water-repellent film.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle in which a fluorine-based silane coupling agent is applied to a nozzle surface on which a scratch mark is formed.

FIG. 4 shows CF ₃ as a fluorine-based silane coupling agent.
_{(CF 2) nCH 2 CH 2} SiCH 3 (OCH 3) shows a reaction bonded in the case of forming the oxide film using a _2.

FIG. 5: CF ₃ as a fluorine-based silane coupling agent
_{(CF 2) nCH 2 CH 2} Si (OCH 3) shows a reaction bonded in the case of forming the oxide film using a _3.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 fluorine-based silane coupling agent (coating layer) 2 ink droplets 3 inorganic particles (CaF ₂₎ 4 void portion of the nozzle substrate 5 fibrous material 6 micro space 7 Scratch marks

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet nozzle head having a nozzle surface treated with a fluorine-based silane coupling agent. 2. The ink jet nozzle head according to claim 1, wherein the fluorine-based silane coupling agent is a fluorine-based silane coupling agent having an aromatic ring. 3. The ink jet nozzle head according to claim 1, wherein the fluorine-based silane coupling agent is a mixture of particles and / or fibrous materials, flakes or a mixture of both. 4. The nozzle surface treated with a fluorine-based silane coupling agent has irregularities formed thereon.
4. The inkjet nozzle head according to 2 or 3. 5. The nozzle surface treated with a fluorine-based silane coupling agent has been oxidized.
5. The ink jet nozzle head according to 2, 3, or 4. 6. The nozzle surface formed of a SUS substrate is made of Fe
An ink jet nozzle head which is light-etched with a Cl ₃ solution.