Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/30—Inkjet printing inks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
  • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
  • B41J2/01—Ink jet
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
  • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
  • B41J2/01—Ink jet
  • B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/0023—Digital printing methods characterised by the inks used
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/0041—Digital printing on surfaces other than ordinary paper
  • B41M5/0047—Digital printing on surfaces other than ordinary paper by ink-jet printing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
  • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
  • B41M5/0082—Digital printing on bodies of particular shapes
  • B41M5/0088—Digital printing on bodies of particular shapes by ink-jet printing
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/30—Inkjet printing inks
  • C09D11/32—Inkjet printing inks characterised by colouring agents
  • C09D11/322—Pigment inks
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/30—Inkjet printing inks
  • C09D11/32—Inkjet printing inks characterised by colouring agents
  • C09D11/324—Inkjet printing inks characterised by colouring agents containing carbon black
  • C09D11/326—Inkjet printing inks characterised by colouring agents containing carbon black characterised by the pigment dispersant
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
  • C09D11/00—Inks
  • C09D11/30—Inkjet printing inks
  • C09D11/40—Ink-sets specially adapted for multi-colour inkjet printing
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06P—DYEING OR PRINTING TEXTILES; DYEING LEATHER, FURS OR SOLID MACROMOLECULAR SUBSTANCES IN ANY FORM
  • D06P5/00—Other features in dyeing or printing textiles, or dyeing leather, furs, or solid macromolecular substances in any form
  • D06P5/30—Ink jet printing
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
  • Y10T428/24802—Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]

Definitions

• This invention pertains to inkjet inks, more specifically to pigmented inkjet inks containing crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid binders, which are particularly suitable for printing on paper and other media substrates.
• Inkjet recording is a printing method wherein droplets of ink are ejected through fine nozzles to form letters or figures on the surface of recording media. Inks used in such recording are subject to rigorous demands including, for example, good dispersion stability, ejection stability, and good fixation to media.
• dyes and pigments have been used as colorants for inkjet inks. While dyes typically offer superior color properties compared to pigments, they tend to fade quickly and are more prone to rub off. Inks comprising pigments dispersed in aqueous media are advantageously superior to inks using water-soluble dyes in water-fastness and light-fastness of printed images. Additives to the ink formulation are often required to achieve water-fastness.
• Pigments suitable for aqueous inkjet inks are in general well known in the art. Traditionally, pigments are stabilized by dispersing agents, such as polymeric dispersants or surfactants, to produce a stable dispersion of the pigment in the vehicle. Other additives to the ink modify the ink to match the needs for the target printed system, which includes the media.
• dispersing agents such as polymeric dispersants or surfactants
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,154 discloses polymer fine particles, each polymer fine particle containing a colorant.
• One of the candidate polymers making up the polymer portion of the fine particle is described as a crosslinked polyurethane.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,890 describes pigmented inks that contain pigments and polyurethane dispersants that stabilize the pigments.
• the pigment is dispersed by the polyurethane via dispersing techniques used to achieve a stabile pigment dispersion.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,713,531 describes a water-based pigmented ink for use in inkjet printing (on paper and transparency media).
• the ink consists of a pigment and a latex, of which uncrosslinked polyurethanes are listed as candidate latexes.
• WO03/029318 describes polyurethane block copolymers as dispersants for inks. These polyurethanes are crosslinked prior to inversion (addition of water to produce the polyurethane dispersion) not during or after inversion. There is also crosslinking derived from the added melamine crosslinker that is only effective at high temperatures and/or acidic conditions that occur at the time of the textile treatments after printing.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,834 describes an ink composition that can contain a polyurethane having chemical components that would make it hydrophobic and likely not dispersible in water.
• inkjet printed paper can lack durability that is required for the printed paper. Waterfastness is of the printed image still needs improvement.
• an inkjet ink composition comprising an aqueous vehicle having stably dispersed therein a pigment and a crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid, wherein the ink comprises the crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is an amount of more than about 0.5% to about 30% by weight (solids basis), based on the total weight of the ink, and wherein the amount of crosslinking in the crosslinked polyurethane is greater than about 1% and less than about 50% (THF insolubles test).
• the inkjet ink may optionally comprise other well-known additives or adjuvants as required to obtain final desired properties.
• the colorant in the inkjet ink preferably ranges from about 0.1 to about 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the ink, and is a pigment.
• an inkjet ink set comprising at least three differently colored inkjet inks, wherein at least one of the inks is an inkjet ink as set forth above.
• the inks and ink sets in accordance with the present invention are particularly useful as inkjet inks, more particularly as inkjet inks for printing on paper, transparencies, polymeric media and optionally textiles.
• Preferred substrates therefore, include paper.
• the aqueous inks comprise an aqueous vehicle, a colorant, a crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid binder and other optional ink components, wherein the colorant is soluble or dispersible in the aqueous vehicle.
• polyurethane dispersoid refers to an aqueous dispersion/emulsion of a polymer containing urethane groups (e.g., polyurethane), as those terms are understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.
• the aqueous crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid in accordance with the present invention comprises a crosslinked polyurethane, and thus is an aqueous stable polyurethane emulsion or dispersion in which the polyurethane contains some crosslinking.
• polyurethane dispersions/emulsion binders are referred to herein as polyurethane “dispersoid(s)”.
• the crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is combined with the aqueous vehicle and colorant to produce a stable inkjet ink that can be used to print paper.
• the crosslinked polyurethane preferably has had substantially all of its crosslinking completed prior to its addition to the other inkjet ink components.
• the order of addition of the ink components can be in any convenient order.
• polyurethanes that can be used in the crosslinked polyurethane dispersoids are described below. As indicated above, the crosslinking of the polyurethanes is preferably achieved prior to its addition to the ink system.
• Pigments suitable for used in the present invention are those generally well-known in the art for aqueous inkjet inks.
• pigments are stabilized by dispersing agents, such as polymeric dispersants or surfactants, to produce a stable dispersion of the pigment in the vehicle.
• dispersing agents such as polymeric dispersants or surfactants
• SDP self-dispersible pigments
• Dispersed dyes are also considered pigments as they are insoluble in the aqueous inks used herein.
• Pigments that are stabilized by added dispersing agents may be prepared by methods known in the art. It is generally desirable to make the stabilized pigment in a concentrated form.
• the stabilized pigment is first prepared by premixing the selected pigment(s) and polymeric dispersant(s) in an aqueous carrier medium (such as water and, optionally, a water-miscible solvent), and then dispersing or deflocculating the pigment.
• an aqueous carrier medium such as water and, optionally, a water-miscible solvent
• the dispersing step may be accomplished in a 2-roll mill, media mill, a horizontal mini mill, a ball mill, an attritor, or by passing the mixture through a plurality of nozzles within a liquid jet interaction chamber at a liquid pressure of at least 5,000 psi to produce a uniform dispersion of the pigment particles in the aqueous carrier medium (microfluidizer).
• the concentrates may be prepared by dry milling the polymeric dispersant and the pigment under pressure.
• the media for the media mill is chosen from commonly available media, including zirconia, YTZ, and nylon.
• the pigment concentrate may be “let down” into an aqueous system. “Let down” refers to the dilution of the concentrate with mixing or dispersing, the intensity of the mixing/dispersing normally being determined by trial and error using routine methodology, and often being dependent on the combination of the polymeric dispersant, solvent and pigment.
• the dispersant used to stabilize the pigment is preferably a polymeric dispersant.
• Either structured or random polymers may be used, although structured polymers are preferred for use as dispersants for reasons well known in the art.
• the term “structured polymer” means polymers having a block, branched or graft structure. Examples of structured polymers include AB or BAB block copolymers such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,698; ABC block copolymers such as disclosed in EP-A-0556649; and graft polymers such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,131.
• Other polymeric dispersants that can be used are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,117,921, 6,262,152, 6,306,994 and 6,433,117. The disclosure of each of these publications is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth.
• Polymer dispersants suitable for use in the present invention generally comprise both hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers.
• hydrophobic monomers used in random polymers are methyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, 2-phenylethyl methacrylate and the corresponding acrylates.
• hydrophilic monomers are methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate and salts thereof. Also quaternary salts of dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate may be employed.
• pigments may be selected to make the ink.
• the term “pigment” as used herein means an insoluble colorant.
• the pigment particles are sufficiently small to permit free flow of the ink through the inkjet printing device, especially at the ejecting nozzles that usually have a diameter ranging from about 10 micron to about 50 micron.
• the particle size also has an influence on the pigment dispersion stability, which is critical throughout the life of the ink. Brownian motion of minute particles will help prevent the particles from flocculation. It is also desirable to use small particles for maximum color strength and gloss.
• the range of useful particle size is typically about 0.005 micron to about 15 micron.
• the pigment particle size should range from about 0.005 to about 5 micron and, most preferably, from about 0.005 to about 1 micron.
• the average particle size as measured by dynamic light scattering is preferably less than about 500 nm, more preferably less than about 300 nm.
• the selected pigment(s) may be used in dry or wet form.
• pigments are usually manufactured in aqueous media and the resulting pigment is obtained as water-wet presscake.
• presscake form the pigment is not agglomerated to the extent that it is in dry form.
• pigments in water-wet presscake form do not require as much deflocculation in the process of preparing the inks as pigments in dry form.
• Representative commercial dry pigments are listed in previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,698.
• the ink may contain up to about 30%, preferably about 0.1 to about 25%, and more preferably about 0.25 to about 10%, pigment by weight based on the total ink weight. If an inorganic pigment is selected, the ink will tend to contain higher weight percentages of pigment than with comparable inks employing organic pigment, and may be as high as about 75% in some cases, since inorganic pigments generally have higher specific gravities than organic pigments.
• SDPs Self-dispersed pigments
• SDPs can be use with the crosslinked polyurethane dispersoids and are often advantageous over traditional dispersant-stabilized pigments from the standpoint of greater stability and lower viscosity at the same pigment loading. This can provide greater formulation latitude in final ink.
• SDPs and particularly self-dispersing carbon black pigments, are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,439,442, 3,023,118, 3,279,935 and 3,347,632. Additional disclosures of SDPs, methods of making SDPs and/or aqueous inkjet inks formulated with SDP's can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
• PTDs Polyurethane Dispersoid Binders
• a crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid refers to an aqueous dispersion of a polymer containing urethane groups and crosslinking, as those terms are understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.
• These polymers may also incorporate hydrophilic functionality to the extent required to maintain a stable dispersion of the polymer in water and, more preferably, the aqueous vehicle.
• hydrophilic functionality into the polymer is that dispersion can be performed with minimal energy so that the dispersing processes do not require strong shear forces, resulting in finer particle size, better dispersion stability, and reduced water sensitivity of the polymers obtained after evaporation of the water.
• These polymers may also incorporate ionic and nonionic functionality to the extent required to maintain a stable dispersion of the polymer in water.
• these polymers can be prepared by emulsification of hydrophobic polyurethanes in water with the aid of suitable external emulsifiers, surfactants and the like, and/or utilizing strong shear forces to form an oil-in-water dispersion.
• the stability of the crosslinked polyurethane in the aqueous vehicle is achieved by incorporating anionic, cationic and/or non-ionic components in the polyurethane polymer, which facilitates stabilizing the crosslinked polyurethane in aqueous systems.
• External emulsifiers may also be added to stabilize the polyurethane.
• Combinations of incorporated anionic, cationic and/or non-ionic components, and/or external emulsifiers can also be used.
• Suitable polyurethanes are those in which the polymer is predominantly stabilized in the dispersion through incorporated anionic functionality, and an example of this is anionic functionality such as neutralized acid groups (“anionically stabilized polyurethane dispersoid”). Further details are provided below. Further examples of hydrophilic functionalization are cationic and nonionic functionality.
• Suitable aqueous polyurethane dispersoids are typically prepared by multi-step synthetic processes in which an NCO terminated prepolymer is formed, this prepolymer is added to water or water is added to the prepolymer forming a polymer dispersed in water (aqueous dispersion) and subsequently chain extended in the aqueous phase.
• the pre-polymer can be formed by a single or multi-step process. Chain extension, if used, can also be a single or multi-step process. The important crosslinking can occur as part of these single or multi-step processes.
• the polyurethane dispersoid After the polyurethane dispersoid is prepared it is included with the other ink components to produce the inkjet ink.
• the details of the preparation of the ink are familiar to those skilled in the art.
• the crosslinking for the polyurethane is substantially completed prior to its addition to the ink formulation.
• Other uses of polyurethanes in inkjet system can require that there is a component in the polyurethane which undergoes crosslink at the time of the ink formulation, or more likely at the time of the printing, or post treatment of the printed material.
• a crosslinking species can be added to affect the crosslinking at the ink formulation time or later.
• the polyurethane dispersoid is typically prepared by a multiple step process.
• a diisocyanate is reacted with a compound, polymer, or mixtures of compound, mixture of polymers or a mixture thereof, each containing two NCO-reactive groups.
• This intermediate polymer or pre-polymer can be terminated with either an NCO-group or a NCO-reactive group.
• the terminal groups are defined by the molar ratio of NCO to NCO-reactive groups in the prepolymer stage.
• the pre-polymer is an NCO-terminated material that is achieved by using a molar excess of NCO.
• the molar ratio of diisocyanate to compounds containing two isocyanate-reactive groups is at least about 1.1:1.0, preferably about 1.20:1.0 to about 5.0:1.0, and more preferably about 1.20:1.0 to about 2.5:1.0.
• the ratios are achieved by preparing, in a first stage, an NCO-terminated intermediate by reacting one of the NCO-reactive compounds, having at least 2 NCO reactive groups, with all or part of the diisocyanate. This is followed, in sequence, by additions of other NCO-reactive compounds, if desired.
• NCO and/or NCO-reactive groups will be found at the termini of the pre-polymer. These components are reacted in amounts sufficient to provide a molar ratio such that the overall equivalent ratio of NCO groups to NCO-reactive groups is achieved.
• Suitable diisocyanates are those that contain either aromatic, cycloaliphatic or aliphatic groups bound to the isocyanate groups. Mixtures of these compounds may also be used. The preferred is a prepolymer that has isocyanates bound to a cycloaliphatic or aliphatic moieties. If aromatic diisocyanates are used, cycloaliphatic or aliphatic isocyanates are preferably present as well.
• diisocyanates examples include cyclohexane-1,3- and -1,4-diisocyanate; 1-isocyanato-3- isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate or IPDI); bis-(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)-methane; 1,3- and 1,4-bis-(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane; 1-isocyanato-2-isocyanatomethyl cyclopentane; 2,4′-diisocyanato-dicyclohexyl methane; bis-(4-isocyanato-3-methyl-cyclohexyl)-methane, alpha,alpha,alpha′,alpha′-tetramethyl-1,3- and/or -1,4-xylylene diisocyanate; 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanatomethyl cyclohe
• Additional diisocyanates may be linear or branched and contain 4 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 9 carbon which include 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate; 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate; 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate; and 1,12-dodecamethylene diisocyanate.
• 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate are examples of diisocyanates effective for the crosslinked polyurethanes
• non-ionic dispersing groups include, for example, a non-ionic dispersing segment present within the polyurethane which is solvent-soluble and that promotes dispersion of the polyurethane within a chosen solvent.
• a non-ionic dispersing segment can be a hydrophilic dispersing segment such as an alkylene oxide or polyoxyalkylene oxide segment, e.g., —((CH 2 ) n O) m —, wherein n can preferably be from 2 to 4, and m can be from about 1 to 400, preferably from about 5 to 200.
• Isocyanate-reactive compounds containing ionic groups can be chemically incorporated into the polyurethane to provide hydrophilicity and enable the polyurethane to be dispersed in an aqueous medium.
• ionic dispersing groups include carboxylate groups (—COOM), phosphate groups (—OPO 3 M 2 ), phosphonate groups (—PO 3 M 2 ), sulfonate groups (—SO 3 M), quaternary ammonium groups (—NR 3 Y, wherein Y is a monovalent anion such as chlorine or hydroxyl), or any other effective ionic group.
• M is a cation such as a monovalent metal ion (e.g., Na + , K + , Li + , etc.), H + , NR 4 + , and each R can be independently an alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, or hydrogen.
• These ionic dispersing groups are typically located pendant from the polyurethane backbone.
• the groups can be carboxylic acid groups, carboxylate groups, sulphonic acid groups, sulphonate groups, phosphoric acid groups and phosphonate groups,
• the acid salts are formed by neutralizing the corresponding acid groups either prior to, during or after formation of the NCO prepolymer, preferably after formation of the NCO prepolymer.
• neutralizing agents for converting the carboxylic acid groups to carboxylate salt groups are described in the preceding incorporated publications, and are also discussed hereinafter. Within the context of this invention, the term “neutralizing agents” is meant to embrace all types of agents that are useful for converting carboxylic acid groups to the more hydrophilic carboxylate salt groups. In like manner, sulphonic acid groups, sulphonate groups, phosphoric acid groups, and phosphonate groups can be neutralized with similar compounds to their more hydrophilic salt form.
• carboxylic group-containing compounds are the hydroxy-carboxylic acids corresponding to the formula (HO) x Q(COOH) y wherein Q represents a straight or branched, hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, x is 1 or 2 (preferably 2), and y is 1 to 3 (preferably 1 or 2).
• hydroxy-carboxylic acids examples include citric acid, tartaric acid and hydroxypivalic acid.
• Especially preferred dihydroxy alkanoic acids are the alpha,alpha-dimethylol alkanoic acids represented by the structural formula: wherein Q′ is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms.
• the most preferred compound is alpha,alpha-dimethylol propionic acid, i.e., wherein Q′ is methyl in the above formula.
• the acid groups are incorporated in an amount sufficient to provide an acid group content, known by those skilled in the art as acid number (mg KOH per gram solid polymer), of at least about 5, preferably at least about 10 milligrams KOH per 1.0 gram of polyurethane.
• acid number known by those skilled in the art as acid number (mg KOH per gram solid polymer)
• the upper limit for the acid number (AN) is about 50, preferably about 40.
• Suitable polyols containing at least two NCO reactive groups are those having a molecular weight of about 60 to about 6000.
• the polymeric polyols are best defined by the number average molecular weight, and can range from about 200 to about 6000, preferably about 800 to about 3000, and more preferably about 1000 to about 2500.
• the molecular weights are determined by hydroxyl group analysis (OH number).
• these high molecular weight compounds include polyester, polyether, polycarbonates, polyacetals, poly(meth)acrylates, polyester amides, polythioethers or mixed polymers such as a polyester-polycarbonate where both ester and carbonate linkages are found in the same polymer. A combination of these polymers can also be used.
• a polyester polyol and a poly(meth)acrylate polyol may be used in the same polyurethane synthesis.
• NCO reactive materials can be used as described for hydroxy containing compounds and polymers, but which contain other NCO reactive groups. Examples would be dithiols, diamines, thioamines and even hydroxythiols and hydroxylamines. These can either be compounds or polymers with the molecular weights or number average molecular weights as described for the polyols.
• Suitable polyester diols include reaction products of polyhydric, preferably dihydric alcohols to which trihydric alcohols may optionally be added, and polybasic (preferably dibasic) carboxylic acids. Instead of these polycarboxylic acids, the corresponding carboxylic acid anhydrides or polycarboxylic acid esters of lower alcohols or mixtures thereof may be used for preparing the polyesters.
• the polycarboxylic acids may be aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic and/or heterocyclic or mixtures thereof and they may be substituted, for example, by halogen atoms, and/or unsaturated.
• succinic acid adipic acid; suberic acid; azelaic acid; sebacic acid; 1,12-dodecyldioic acid; phthalic acid; isophthalic acid; trimellitic acid; phthalic acid anhydride; tetrahydrophthalic acid anhydride; hexahydrophthalic acid anhydride; tetrachlorophthalic acid anhydride; endomethylene tetrahydrophthalic acid anhydride; glutaric acid anhydride; maleic acid; maleic acid anhydride; fumaric acid; dimeric and trimeric fatty acids such as oleic acid, which may be mixed with monomeric fatty acids; dimethyl terephthalates and bis-glycol tere
• Suitable polyhydric alcohols include, e.g., ethylene glycol; propylene glycol-(1,2) and -(1,3); butylene glycol-(1,4) and -(1,3); hexanediol-(1,6); octanediol-(1,8); neopentyl glycol; cyclohexanedimethanol (1,4-bis-hydroxymethyl-cyclohexane); 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol; 2,2,4-trimethyl-1, 3-pentanediol; triethylene glycol; tetraethylene glycol; polyethylene glycol; dipropylene glycol; polypropylene glycol; dibutylene glycol and poly-butylene glycol, glycerine, trimethylol-propane, polyether diols such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol or mixed monomer polyether glycols.
• the polyesters may also
• Polycarbonates containing hydroxyl groups include those known, per se, such as the products obtained from the reaction of diols such as propanediol-(1,3), butanediol-(1,4) and/or hexanediol-(1,6), diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol or tetraethylene glycol, higher polyether diols with phosgene, diarylcarbonates such as diphenylcarbonate, dialkylcarbonates such as diethylcarbonate or with cyclic carbonates such as ethylene or propylene carbonate. Also suitable are polyester carbonates obtained from the above-mentioned polyesters or polylactones with phosgene, diaryl carbonates, dialkyl carbonates or cyclic carbonates.
• Suitable polyether polyols are obtained in a known manner by the reaction of starting compounds that contain reactive hydrogen atoms with alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, styrene oxide, tetrahydrofuran, epichlorohydrin or mixtures of these. It is preferred that the polyethers do not contain more than about 10% by weight of ethylene oxide units. Most preferably, polyethers obtained without the addition of ethylene oxide are used.
• Suitable starting compounds containing reactive hydrogen atoms include the polyhydric alcohols set forth for preparing the polyester polyols and, in addition, water, methanol, ethanol, 1,2,6-hexane triol, 1,2,4-butane triol, trimethylol ethane, pentaerythritol, mannitol, sorbitol, methyl glycoside, sucrose, phenol, isononyl phenol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, 1,1,1- and 1,1,2-tris-(hydroxylphenyl)-ethane, dimethylolpropionic acid or dimethylolbutanoic acid.
• Polyethers that have been obtained by the reaction of starting compounds containing amine compounds can also be used.
• these polyethers as well as suitable polyhydroxy polyacetals, polyhydroxy polyacrylates, polyhydroxy polyester amides, polyhydroxy polyamides and polyhydroxy polythioethers, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,480 (the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth).
• Poly(meth)acrylates containing hydroxyl groups include those common in the art of addition polymerization such as cationic, anionic and radical polymerization and the like. Examples are alpha-omega diols. An example of these type of diols are those which are prepared by a “living” or “control” or chain transfer polymerization processes which enables the placement of one hydroxyl group at or near the termini of the polymer. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,248,839 and 5,990,245 (the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth) have examples of protocol for making terminal diols. Other di-NCO reactive poly(meth)acrylate terminal polymers can be used. An example would be end groups other than hydroxyl such as amino or thiol, and may also include mixed end groups with hydroxyl.
• the high molecular weight polyols are generally present in the polyurethanes in an amount of at least about 5%, preferably at least about 10% by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane.
• the maximum amount of these polyols is generally about 85%, and preferably about 75% by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane.
• NCO prepolymer examples include low molecular weight, at least difunctional NCO-reactive compounds having an average molecular weight of up to about 400.
• examples include the dihydric and higher functionality alcohols, which have previously been described for the preparation of the polyester polyols and polyether polyols.
• NCO prepolymers should be substantially linear and this may be achieved by maintaining the average functionality of the prepolymer starting components at or below 2:1.
• NCO-reactive compounds containing branched and/or terminal, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic units. These units include non-ionic hydrophilic materials such as polyethylene oxides or copolymers with other oxide, and hydrophilic polyoxazolines.
• the content of hydrophilic units may be up to about 10%, preferably up to about 8% and most preferably about 2 to about 6%, by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane.
• up to about 75% of the allowable, chemically incorporated, hydrophilic units may be replaced by known nonionic, external emulsifiers.
• alkaryl type polyoxyethylene, nonyl phenyl ether or polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether examples of these are the alkaryl type polyoxyethylene, nonyl phenyl ether or polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether; those of the alkyl ether type such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether or polyoxyethylene oleyl ether; those of the alkyl ester type such as polyoxyethylene laurate, polyoxyethylene oleate or polyoxyethylene stearate; and those of the polyoxyethylene benzylated phenyl ether type.
• the isocyanate-reactive compounds for incorporating branched and/or terminal, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic units may contain either one or two isocyanate-reactive groups, preferably hydroxy groups. Examples of these compounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,905,929, 3,920,598 and 4,190,566 (the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth).
• Preferred hydrophilic components are the monohydroxy polyethers or monohydroxyl oxazolines.
• hydrophilic components may be produced as described in the preceding patents by alkoxylating a monofunctional starter, such as methanol or n- butanol, using ethylene oxide and optionally another alkylene oxide, such as propylene oxide or in the case of oxazolines, methyloxazoline.
• isocyanate-reactive compounds containing self-condensing moieties.
• the content of these compounds are dependent upon the desired level of self-condensation necessary to provide the desirable resin properties.
• 3-amino-1-triethoxysilyl-propane is an example of a compound that will react with isocyanates through the amino group and yet self-condense through the silyl group when inverted into water.
• optional compounds include isocyanate-reactive compounds containing non-condensable silanes and/or fluorocarbons with isocyanate reactive groups, which can be used in place of or in conjunction with the isocyanate-reactive compounds.
• isocyanate-reactive compounds containing non-condensable silanes and/or fluorocarbons with isocyanate reactive groups, which can be used in place of or in conjunction with the isocyanate-reactive compounds.
• U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,123 and 6,046,295 (the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth) list examples of methods for use of these optional silane/fluoro-containing compounds.
• the finished NCO containing prepolymer should have a isocyanate content of about 1 to about 20%, preferably about 1 to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of prepolymer solids.
• the polyurethanes are typical prepared by chain extending these NCO containing prepolymers.
• Chain extenders are polyamine chain extenders, which can optionally be partially or wholly blocked as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,269,748 and 4,829,122 (the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth).
• These publications disclose the preparation of aqueous polyurethane dispersoids by mixing NCO-containing prepolymers with at least partially blocked, diamine or hydrazine chain extenders in the absence of water and then adding the mixture to water. Upon contact with water the blocking agent is released and the resulting unblocked polyamine reacts with the NCO containing prepolymer to form the polyurethane.
• Suitable blocked amines and hydrazines include the reaction products of polyamines with ketones and aldehydes to form ketimines and aldimines, and the reaction of hydrazine with ketones and aldehydes to form ketazines, aldazines, ketone hydrazones and aldehyde hydrazones.
• the at least partially blocked polyamines contain at most one primary or secondary amino group and at least one blocked primary or secondary amino group which releases a free primary or secondary amino group in the presence of water.
• Suitable polyamines for preparing the at least partially blocked polyamines have an average functionality, i.e., the number of amine nitrogens per molecule, of 2 to 6, preferably 2 to 4 and more preferably 2 to 3.
• the desired functionalities can be obtained by using mixtures of polyamines containing primary or secondary amino groups.
• the polyamines are generally aromatic, aliphatic or alicyclic amines and contain between 1 to 30, preferably 2 to 15 and more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms. These polyamines may contain additional substituents provided that they are not as reactive with isocyanate groups as the primary or secondary amines. These same polyamines can be partially or wholly blocked polyamines.
• a suitable method of chain extension is to add polyamine to the NCO-prepolymer before, during or after the pre-polymer inversion into water.
• the chain extension can occur after pre-polymer inversion.
• the polyamines include 1-amino-3-aminomethyl-3,5,5- trimethylcyclohexane (isophorone diamine or IPDA), bis-(4-amino-cyclohexyl)-methane, bis-(4-amino-3-methylcyclohexyl)-methane, 1,6- diaminohexane, hydrazine, ethylene diamine, diethylene triamine, triethylene tetramine, tetraethylene pentamine and pentaethylene hexamine.
• chain termination may be desirable.
• a mono-NCO reactive material such as a mono-amine or mono-alcohol.
• the materials can be added before, during or after inversion of the pre-polymer.
• Poly-NCO reactive materials can be used where one of the NCO-reactive groups reacts substantially faster than the others. Examples would be ethanol amine and diethanol amine. The amine group will react much faster with the NCO group than the alcohol.
• Suitable chain terminators would be amines or alcohols having an average functionality per molecule of 1, i.e., the number of primary or secondary amine nitrogens or alcohol oxygens would average 1 per molecule.
• the desired functionalities can be obtained by using primary or secondary amino groups.
• the amines or alcohols are generally aromatic, aliphatic or alicyclic and contain between 1 to 30, preferably 2 to 15 and more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms. These may contain additional substituents provided that they are not as reactive with isocyanate groups as the amine or alcohol groups.
• Chain terminators and chain extenders can be used together, either as mixtures or as sequential additions to the NCO-prepolymer.
• the amount of chain extender and/or chain terminator to be used in accordance with the present invention is dependent upon the number of isocyanate groups in the prepolymer.
• the ratio of isocyanate groups of the prepolymer to isocyanate-reactive groups of the chain extender/terminator is between about 1.0:0.6 and about 1.0:1.1, more preferably between about 1.0:0.7 and about 1.0:1.1, on an equivalent basis. Any isocyanate groups that are not chain extended/terminated with an amine or alcohol will react with water, which functions as a chain extender.
• Chain extension can take place prior to addition of water in the process, but typically takes place by combining the NCO containing prepolymer, chain extender, water and other optional components under agitation.
• a sufficient amount of the ionic groups (if present) must be neutralized so that, when combined with the optional hydrophilic ethylene oxide and other alkenyl oxide units and optional external emulsifiers, the resulting polyurethane will remain stably dispersed in the aqueous medium.
• at least about 70%, preferably at least about 80%, of the acid groups are neutralized to the corresponding carboxylate salt groups.
• cationic groups in the polyurethane can be quaternary ammonium groups (—NR 3 Y, wherein Y is a monovalent anion such as chlorine or hydroxyl).
• Suitable neutralizing agents for converting the acid groups to salt groups include tertiary amines, alkali metal cations and ammonia. Examples of these neutralizing agents are disclosed in previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,480, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,852 (the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth).
• Preferred neutralizing agents are the trialkyl-substituted tertiary amines, such as triethyl amine, tripropyl amine, dimethylcyclohexyl amine, and dimethylethyl amine. Substituted amines are also useful neutralizing groups such as diethyl ethanol amine or diethanol methyl amine.
• Neutralization may take place at any point in the process. Typical procedures include at least some neutralization of the prepolymer, which is then chain extended/terminated in water in the presence of additional neutralizing agent.
• the final product is a stable aqueous dispersoid of polyurethane particles having a solids content of up to about 60% by weight, preferably about 15 to about 60% by weight and most preferably about 30 to about 40% by weight. However, it is always possible to dilute the dispersions to any minimum solids content desired.
• the means to achieve the crosslinking of the polyurethane generally relies on at least one component of the polyurethane (starting material and/or intermediate) having 3 or more functional reaction sites. Reaction of each of the 3 (or more) reaction sites will produce a crosslinked polyurethane (3-dimensional matrix). When only two reactive sites are available on each reactive components, only linear (albeit possibly high molecular weight) polyurethanes can be produced. Examples of crosslinking techniques include but are not limited to the following:
• the isocyanate-reactive moiety has at least 3 reactive groups, for example polyfunctional amines or polyol;
• the isocyanate has at least 3 isocyanate groups
• the prepolymer chain has at least 3 reactive sites that can react via reactions other than the isocyanate reaction, for example with amino trialkoxysilanes;
• a reactive component with at least 3 reactive sites to the polyurethane prior to its use in the inkjet ink preparations, for example tri-functional epoxy crosslinkers;
• crosslinking components may only be a (small) fraction of the total reactive functionality added to the polyurethane.
• mono- and difunctional amines may also be present for reaction with the isocyanates.
• the polyfunctional amine may be a minor portion of the amines.
• the crosslinking preferably occurs during the preparation of the polyurethane.
• a preferred time for the crosslinking in the polyurethane reaction sequence would be at or after the time of the inversion step. That is, crosslinking preferably occurs during the addition of water to the polyurethane preparation mixture or shortly thereafter.
• the inversion is that point where sufficient water is added such that the polyurethane is converted to its stable dispersed aqueous form. Most preferred is that the crosslinking occurs after the inversion.
• substantially all of the crosslinking of the polyurethane is preferably complete prior to its incorporation into the ink formulation.
• the crosslinking can occur during the initial formation of the urethane bonds when the isocyanates or isocyanate-reactive groups have 3 or more groups capable of reacting. If the crosslinking is done at this early stage, the extent of crosslinking must not lead to gel formation. Too much crosslinking at this stage will prevent the formation of a stable polyurethane dispersion.
• the amount of crosslinking of the polyurethane to achieve the desired inkjet ink for printing can vary over a broad range. While not being bound to theory, the amount of crosslinking is a function of the polyurethane composition, the whole sequence of reaction conditions utilized to form the polyurethane and other factors known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The extent of crosslinking, the inkjet ink formulation, the colorant, other inks in the inkjet set, the substrate and the printing technique all contribute to the final printed performance. Based on techniques described herein, a person of ordinary skilled in the art is able to determine, via routine experimentation, the crosslinking needed for a particularly type of polyurethane to obtain an effective inkjet ink for the desired substrate. As indicated above, these inks may be used for plain paper, photo paper, transparencies, vinyl, textiles and other printable substrates.
• the amount of crosslinking can be measured by a standard tetrahydrofuran insolubles test.
• THF tetrahydrofuran
• the tetrahydrofuran (THF) insolubles of the polyurethane dispersoid is measured by mixing 1 gram of the polyurethane dispersoid with 30 grams of THF in a pre-weighed centrifuge tube. After the solution is centrifuged for 2 hours at 17,000 rpm, the top liquid layer is poured out and the non-dissolved gel in the bottom is left. The centrifuge tube with the non-dissolved gel is re-weighed after the tube is put in the oven and dried for 2 hours at 110° C.
• % THF insolubles of polyurethane (weight of tube and non-dissolved gel ⁇ weight of tube)/(sample weight*polyurethane solid %)
• the upper limit of crosslinking is related to the ability to make a stable aqueous polyurethane dispersion. If a highly crosslinked polyurethane has adequate ionic or nonionic functionality such that it is a stable when inverted into water, then its level of crosslinking will lead to an improved inkjet ink for textiles.
• the emulsion/dispersion stability of the crosslinked polyurethane can be improved by added dispersants or emulsifiers.
• the upper limit of crosslinking as measured by the THF insolubles test is about 50%.
• the lower limit of crosslinking in the polyurethane dispersoid is about 1% or greater, preferably about 4% or greater, and more preferably about 10% or greater, as measured by the THF insolubles test.
• An alternative way to achieve an effective amount of crosslinking in the polyurethane is to choose a polyurethane that has crosslinkable sites, then crosslink those sites via self-crosslinking and/or added crosslinking agents.
• self-crosslinking functionality includes, for example, silyl functionality (self-condensing) available from certain starting materials as indicated above, as well as combinations of reactive functionalities incorporated into the polyurethanes, such as epoxy/hydroxyl, epoxy/acid and isocyanate/hydroxyl.
• polyurethanes and complementary crosslinking agents include: (1) a polyurethane with isocyanate reactive sites (such as hydroxyl and/or amine groups) and an isocyanate crosslinking reactant, and 2) a polyurethane with unreacted isocyanate groups and an isocyanate-reactive crosslinking reactant (containing, for example, hydroxyl and/or amine groups).
• the complementary reactant can be added to the polyurethane, such that crosslinking can be done prior to its incorporation into an ink formulation.
• the crosslinking should preferably be substantially completed prior to the incorporation of the dispersoid into the ink formulation.
• This crosslinked polyurethane preferably has greater than about 1% to less than about 50% crosslinking as measured by the THF insolubles test.
• Combinations of two or more polyurethane crosslinked dispersoid binders may also be utilized in the formulation of the ink.
• the crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid can be mixed with other binders, including latexes, and the like.
• binders including latexes, and the like.
• a non-limiting list of these binders includes dispersed acrylics, neoprenes, dispersed nylons, and non-crosslinked polyurethanes dispersions (as defined herein by the THF insolubles test).
• latex refers to a polymer particle that is dispersed in the vehicle.
• a latex is sometimes referred to as an “emulsion polymer”.
• a latex is stabilized to dispersion by stabilizers which can be part of the polymer itself (internal stabilizers) or separate species (external stabilizers) such as emulsifiers.
• the median particle size in the range of about 0.02 to about 3 microns.
• the median particle size should preferably be less than about 1 micron, more preferably less than about 0.5 microns, and most preferably in the range of about 0.03 to about 0.3 microns.
• Polymer synthesis for these latexes can be performed under emulsion polymerization conditions with standard free radical initiators, chain transfer initiators and surfactants.
• Chain transfer agents such as dodecyl mercaptan and sulfur are used to control the molecular weight, branching, and gel content. Molecular weight is typically in the range of about 100,000 to over about 1,000,000 Dalton. The percent conversion is also controlled to limit the gel content.
• Aqueous vehicle refers to water or a mixture of water and at least one water-soluble organic solvent (co-solvent). Selection of a suitable mixture depends on requirements of the specific application, such as desired surface tension and viscosity, the selected colorant, drying time of the ink, and the type of substrate onto which the ink will be printed. Representative examples of water-soluble organic solvents that may be selected are disclosed in previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,698.
• the aqueous inks of the present invention are comprised primarily of water.
• the instant inks comprise at least about 40%, preferably at least about 45%, and more preferably at least about 50% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the ink.
• the aqueous vehicle typically will contain about 40% to about 95% by weight water with the balance (i.e., about 60% to about 5% by weight) being the water-soluble solvent.
• Preferred compositions contain about 65% to about 95% by weight water, based on the total weight of the aqueous vehicle.
• the amount of aqueous vehicle in the ink is typically in the range of about 70% to about 99.8%, and preferably about 80% to about 99.8%, by weight based on total weight of the ink.
• the aqueous vehicle can be made to be fast penetrating (rapid drying) by including surfactants or penetrating agents such as glycol ethers and 1,2-alkanediols.
• Glycol ethers include ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, triethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, 1-methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-but
• 1,2-alkanediols are preferably 1,2-C 4-6 alkanediols, most preferably 1,2- hexanediol.
• Suitable surfactants include ethoxylated acetylene diols (e.g. Surfynols® series from Air Products), ethoxylated primary (e.g. Neodol®) series from Shell) and secondary (e.g. Tergitol® series from Union Carbide) alcohols, Pluronic® block copolymer surfactants, sulfosuccinates (e.g. Aerosol® series from Cytec), organosilicones (e.g. Silwet® series from Witco) and fluoro surfactants (e.g. Zonyl® series from DuPont).
• ethoxylated acetylene diols e.g. Surfynols® series from Air Products
• Neodol® ethoxylated primary (e
• glycol ether(s) and 1,2-alkanediol(s) added must be properly determined, but is typically in the range of from about 1 to about 15% by weight and more typically about 2 to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the ink.
• Surfactants may be used, typically in the amount of about 0.01 to about 5% and preferably about 0.1 to about 1%, based on the total weight of the ink.
• solvents that are not water miscible may be added to the ink to facilitate the printing the ink which has a polyurethane dispersoid binder in it. While not being bound by theory, it is believed that this added non-aqueous solvent assists in the coalescence of the polyurethane onto the printed substrate, especially a fabric in the case of textile printing.
• these water-immiscible solvents are propylene carbonate and dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether.
• the pigment levels employed in the textile inks are those levels which are typically needed to impart the desired color density to the printed image.
• pigment is present at a level of about 0.1% up to a level of about 30% by weight of the total weight of ink.
• the pigment can be about 0.25 to about 25% of the total weight of the ink.
• the pigment can be about 0.25 to about 15% of the total weight of the ink.
• crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid level employed is dictated by the range of ink properties that can be tolerated. Generally, polyurethane levels will range up to about 30%, more particularly from more than about 0.5% up to about 30%, preferably more than about 0.5% up to about 25%, and more preferably more than about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight (polyurethane solids basis) of the total weight of ink.
• Effective levels of polyurethane are typically those where the weight ratio of polyurethane (solids) to colorant (pigment) is at least about 0.1, and preferably at least about 0.15. This weight ratio must be balanced against other ink properties, such as viscosity, to maintain acceptable jetting performance. The right balance of properties must be determined for each circumstance, which can be done by the person of ordinary skill in the art using routine experimentation.
• the inkjet ink may contain other ingredients as are well known in the art.
• anionic, nonionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants may be used.
• the surfactants are typically present in the amount of about 0.01 to about 5%, and preferably about 0.2 to about 2%, based on the total weight of the ink.
• Co-solvents such as those exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,201 (incorporated by reference herein for all purposes as if fully set forth) may be included to improve pluggage inhibition properties of the ink composition.
• Biocides may be used to inhibit growth of microorganisms.
• Sequestering agents such as EDTA may also be included to eliminate deleterious effects of heavy metal impurities.
• Jet velocity, separation length of the droplets, drop size and stream stability are greatly affected by the surface tension and the viscosity of the ink.
• Inkjet inks suitable for use with inkjet printing systems should have a surface tension in the range of about 20 dyne/cm to about 70 dyne/cm, more preferably about 25 to about 40 dyne/cm at 25° C. Viscosity is preferably in the range of about 1 cP to about 30 cP, more preferably about 2 to about 20 cP at 25° C.
• the ink has physical properties compatible with a wide range of ejecting conditions, i.e., driving frequency of the pen and the shape and size of the nozzle.
• the inks should have excellent storage stability for long periods.
• the instant inks can sustain elevated temperature in a closed container for extended periods (e.g. 70° C. for 7 days) without substantial increase in viscosity or particle size.
• the ink should not corrode parts of the inkjet printing device it comes in contact with, and it should be essentially odorless and non-toxic.
• Inks of the instant invention can achieve the beneficial durable properties of wash-fastness.
• the ink sets in accordance with the present invention preferably comprise at least three differently colored inks (such as CMY), and preferably at least four differently colored inks (such as CMYK), wherein at least one of the inks is an aqueous inkjet ink comprising an aqueous vehicle, a colorant and a crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid, wherein the colorant is soluble or dispersible in the aqueous vehicle, and wherein the ink comprises the crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight (solids basis), based on the total weight of the ink, as set forth above.
• CMY differently colored inks
• CMYK CMYK
• the other inks of the ink set are preferably also aqueous inks, and may contain dyes, pigments or combinations thereof as the colorant.
• Such other inks are, in a general sense, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
• the ink set comprises three differently colored inks as follows:
• a first colored ink comprising a first aqueous vehicle having stably dispersed therein a first pigment colorant and a first crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid, wherein the first crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is more than about 0.5% to about 30% by weight (solids basis), based on the total weight of the first ink, and wherein the amount of crosslinking in the first crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is greater than about 1% and less than about 50%;
• a second colored ink comprising a second aqueous vehicle having stably dispersed therein a second pigment colorant and a second crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid, wherein the second crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is more than about 0.5% to about 30% by weight (solids basis), based on the total weight of the second ink, and wherein the amount of crosslinking in the second crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is greater than about 1% and less than about 50%;
• a third colored ink comprising a third aqueous vehicle having stably dispersed therein a third pigment colorant and a third crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid, wherein the third crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is more than about 0.5% to about 30% by weight (solids basis), based on the total weight of the third ink, and wherein the amount of crosslinking in the third crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is greater than about 1% and less than about 50%.
• the first colored ink is a cyan ink
• the second colored ink is a magenta ink
• the third colored ink is a yellow ink.
• this ink set further comprises (d) a fourth colored ink comprising a fourth aqueous vehicle having stably dispersed therein a fourth pigment colorant and a fourth crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid, wherein the fourth crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is more than about 0.5% to about 30% by weight (solids basis), based on the total weight of the fourth ink, and wherein the amount of crosslinking in the fourth crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid is greater than about 1% and less than about 50%.
• this fourth colored ink is a black ink.
• the ink set may further comprise one or more “gamut-expanding” inks, including different colored inks such as an orange ink, a green ink, a red ink and/or a blue ink, and combinations of full strength and light strengths inks such as light cyan and light magenta.
• These “gamut-expanding” inks are particularly useful in textile printing for simulating the color gamut of analog screen printing, such as disclosed in previously incorporated US20030128246.
• the inks and ink sets of the present invention can be by printing with any inkjet printer.
• the substrate can be any suitable substrate including plain paper (such as standard elecrophotographic papers), treated paper (such as coated papers like photographic papers), textile, and non-porous substrates including polymeric films such as polyvinyl choride and polyester.
• the inkjet printer used in the following examples was an Epson 980.
• the water-fastness was tested by printing a test image that included at least one of the inventive or comparison colors. Immediately after printing the test image, the paper was placed on a 45° Angle Plate and 2 drops of deionized water was dropped across the test image at specified time intervals. The water-fastness test was done at 10 seconds, 1 minute and 5 minutes after printing. If the image was removed by the water, or smeared, the test was considered a failed test and rated Not Good (NG). If the image was not affected by the water, it was rated OK.
• NG Not Good
• the colorant dispersion or other stable aqueous colorant, was prepared by techniques known in the inkjet art. A black pigment dispersion was used for the ink examples except where noted.
• APTMS aminopropyltrimethoxy silane
• CHBMA 1,3-cyclohexane bis(methyl amine)
• DMPA dimethylol propionic acid
• EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid
• ETEGMA ethoxytriethylenglycolmethacrylate
• IPDA isophoronediamine
• IPDI isophoronediisocyanate
• MAA methyl acrylic acid
• NMP n-Methyl pyrolidone
• TETA triethylenetetramine
• BYK® 348 a silicone surfactant from Byk-Chemie (Wallingford, Conn.)
• Cythane® 3174 an aliphatic polyisocyanate resin from Cytec (West Patterson, N.J.)
• Desmodur N3400 a hexamethylene diisocyanate 40 wt % dimer and 60 wt % trimer blend from Bayer (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
• Desmophene C 200 a polyester carbonate diol from Bayer (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
• GP426 a 2000 molecular weight silicone based diol from Genesee Silicones, (Flint, Mich.)
• LiponicTM EG-1 ethoxylated glycerin humectant from Lipo Chemicals Inc. (Patterson, N.J.)
• Silwet® L77 an organosilicone surfactant from GE Silicones (Wilton, Conn.)
• Surfynol® 104E a nonionic surfactant from Air Products (Allentown, Pa.)
• Surfynol® 440 a nonionic surfactant from Air Products (Allentown, Pa.)
• Terathane® 1400 a polytetramethylene oxide polyol from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Del.)
• the extent of polyurethane reaction was determined by detecting NCO % by dibutylamine titration, a common method in urethane chemistry.
• the particle size for the polyurethane dispersions, pigments and the inks were determined by dynamic light scattering using a Microtrac® UPA 150 analyzer from Honeywell/Microtrac (Montgomeryville, Pa.).
• This technique is based on the relationship between the velocity distribution of the particles and the particle size.
• Laser generated light is scattered from each particle and is Doppler shifted by the particle Brownian motion.
• the frequency difference between the shifted light and the unshifted light is amplified, digitalized and analyzed to recover the particle size distribution.
• Solid content for the solvent free polyurethane dispersoids was measured with a moisture analyzer, model MA50 from Sartorius.
• polyurethane dispersoid containing high boiling solvent, such as NMP the solid content was then determined by the weight differences before and after baking in 150° C. oven for 180 minutes
• Inks used in the examples were made according to standard procedures in the inkjet art. Ingredient amounts are in weight percent of the final ink. Polyurethane dispersoid binders and colorants are quoted on a solids basis.
• the ink vehicle was prepared and added with stirring to the polyurethane dispersoid binders. After stirring until a good dispersion was obtained, the mixture was then added to the pigment dispersion and stirred for another 3 hours, or until a good ink dispersion was obtained.
• a black dispersion was prepared by first mixing well the following ingredients: (i) 210.4 parts by weight (pbw) deionized water, (ii) 80.3 pbw of a 41.5 wt % (solids) anionic polymeric dispersant, and (iii) 9.24 pbw of dimethylethanolamine.
• the anionic polymer dispersant was a graft co-polymer 66.3/-g-4.2/29.5 POEA/-g-ETEGMA/MAA prepared according to “Preparation of Dispersant 1” from previously incorporated US20030128246, with the ratios of monomers adjusted to obtain the 66.2/4.2/29.5 instead of the 61.6/5.8/32.6 ratio indicated in the publication.
• the resulting 15 wt % dispersion had the following properties: a viscosity of 8.60 cP (Brookfield viscometer, 20° C.), a pH of about 7.5 and a median particle size of 92 nm.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes. 44.57 g DMPA followed by 25.2 g TEA was then added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 15.5 g acetone. The flask temperature was then raised again to 50° C. until NCO % was 1.14% or less.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 310.0 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 35.0% solids by weight.
• the crosslinking was achieved by the TETA.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C., then held for 30 minutes. 44.57 g DMPA followed by 25.2 g TEA was added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 15.5 g acetone. The flask temperature was then raised again to 50° C. and held at 50° C. until NCO % was less than 1.23%.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 310.0 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 35.0% solids by weight.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes. 31.5 g DMPA followed by 20.2 g TEA was then added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 7.4 g of acetone. The flask temperature was then held at 50° C. until the NCO % was less than 1.23%.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 176.7 9) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 33% solids by weight.
• polyurethane dispersoid 3 the crosslinking was achieved by the polyfunctional isocyanate component of the Desmodur N3400.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes. 28.9 g DMPA followed by 19.6 g TEA was then added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 4.0 g of acetone. The flask temperature was held at 50° C. until NCO % was less than 1.50%. Then 32.4 g Cythane®) 3174 (Cytec) was charged and held at 50° C. for 5 minutes, followed by adding 600 g DI water over 10 minutes, and 120.0 g EDA (as a 6.25% solution in water) over 5 minutes, via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 40.0 g of water. The mixture was then held at 50° C. for 1 hr, then cooled to room temperature.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 125.2 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 37% solids by weight.
• polyurethane dispersoid 4 the crosslinking was achieved by the polyfunctional isocyanate Cythane® 3174.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes. 22.2 g DMPA followed by 12.6 g TEA was added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 8.0 g acetone. The flask temperature was then raised again to 50° C. held at 50° C. until NCO % was less than 1.58%.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 141.8 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 30.0% solids by weight.
• the crosslinking was achieved by the TETA.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 59.17 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 36% solids by weight.
• the crosslinking was achieved by the APTES.
• Polyurethane dispersoids 1-6 showed a range of THF insolubles indicating a range of crosslinking.
• the comparative example had no THF insolubles.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes.
• 22.3 g DMPA followed by 12.6 g TEA was added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 7.7 g acetone.
• the flask temperature was then raised again to 50° C. and held for 60 minutes.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 155.4 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 34.0% solids by weight.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes.
• 22.3 g DMPA followed by 12.6 g TEA was added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 12.5 g acetone.
• the flask temperature was then raised again to 50° C. and held for 60 minutes.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 157.3 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 34.0% solids by weight.
• the crosslinking was achieved by the TETA.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes. 22.3 g DMPA followed by 13.1 g TEA was then added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 10.0 g of acetone. The flask temperature was held at 50° C. until NCO % was 1.52 or less.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 155 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 37% solids by weight.
• polyurethane dispersoid 9 the crosslinking was achieved by the polyfunctional isocyanate component of the Desmodur N3400.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes. 22.8 g DMPA followed by 13.3 g TEA was then added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 10.0 g of acetone. The flask temperature was held at 50° C. until NCO % was 1.8% or less.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 158 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 39% solids by weight.
• polyurethane dispersoid 10 the crosslinking was achieved by the polyfunctional isocyanate component of the Desmodur N3400.
• the flask temperature was raised to 50° C. and held for 30 minutes. 23.4 g DMPA followed by 13.6 g TEA was then added to the flask via the addition funnel, which was then rinsed with 10.0 g of acetone. The flask temperature was held at 50° C. until NCO % was 2.3% or less.
• Acetone ( ⁇ 162 g) was removed under vacuum, leaving a final dispersoid of polyurethane with about 36% solids by weight.
• polyurethane dispersoid 11 the crosslinking was achieved by the polyfunctional isocyanate component of the Desmodur N3400.
• Inks of the instant invention generally are storage stable. Thus, the instant inks can sustain elevated temperature in a closed container for extended periods (e.g. 70° C. for 7 days) without substantial increase in viscosity or particle size.
• TABLE 3 Example for Stability Testing Black Dispersion (% pigment) 4.25% PUD EX 1 11% Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether 3% Glycerol 8% Ethylene Glycol 11% Liponic TM EG-1 Surfynol ® 104E 0.2% Silwet ® L77 0.2% Water (to 100%) Bal. Viscosity (cps) 7.94
• the crosslinked polyurethane dispersoids were used to produce a 3.46 cps viscosity black ink for testing on paper.
• Table 5 shows an ink composition that was based on PUD EX 8, and Table 6 shows ink properties. Ink was printed with an EPSON 980 printer on Hammermill Tidal paper. TABLE 5 Ink composition for printing on plain paper; Ink Example A PUD EX 8 1% Pigment, SDP black 6.5% Glycerol 9.0% Ethylene glycol 6.0% 1,6-Hexane diol 5.0% EDTA (5% solution) 2.0% BYK ® 348 0.1% TEOA (10% solution) 1.0 Water Balance
• the crosslinked polyurethane dispersoids were tested with different colored inks. that were formulated for paper printing.
• Table 7 shows the pigment dispersion source for a magenta and a yellow ink.
• the ink compositions and ink properties for the magenta and the yellow ink are shown in Table 8.
• Ink was printed with an EPSON 980 printer on Hammermill Tidal paper or Xerox 4024 paper.
• the NG/OK notation indicates that with tests of multiple printed samples, some of the samples failed, that is, some of the printed image was smeared or removed by the water and in other samples the printed image was not affected by the water.

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