AQUEOUS INK JET COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING RECORDING

Abstract

An aqueous ink jet composition contains water, a dye composed of at least one of sublimation dyes or at least one of disperse dyes, polyester, and a urethane resin. Preferably, 4.0X.sub.E/X.sub.D300, where X.sub.D is the amount of the dye in the aqueous ink jet composition (% by mass), and X.sub.E is the amount of the polyester in the aqueous ink jet composition (% by mass).

Claims

1. An aqueous ink jet composition comprising: water; a dye composed of at least one of sublimation dyes or at least one of disperse dyes; polyester; and a urethane resin.

2. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, further comprising an oxazoline-containing polymer.

3. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the dye in the aqueous ink jet composition is 0.1% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less.

4. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the polyester in the aqueous ink jet composition is 5% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less.

5. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, wherein an amount of the urethane resin in the aqueous ink jet composition is 2.5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less.

6. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, wherein 4.0X.sub.E/X.sub.D300, where X.sub.D is an amount of the dye in the aqueous ink jet composition in % by mass, and X.sub.E is the amount of the polyester in the aqueous ink jet composition in % by mass.

7. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, wherein 2.0X.sub.U/X.sub.D150, where X.sub.D is an amount of the dye in the aqueous ink jet composition in % by mass, and X.sub.U is an amount of the urethane resin in the aqueous ink jet composition in % by mass.

8. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, wherein 1.5X.sub.E/X.sub.U5.0, where X.sub.E is an amount of the polyester in the aqueous ink jet composition in % by mass, and X.sub.U is an amount of the urethane resin in the aqueous ink jet composition in % by mass.

9. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, wherein a glass transition temperature of the polyester is 0 C. or more and 90 C. or less.

10. The aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1, wherein the dye is one or two or more selected from the group consisting of C.I. Disperse Yellow 54, C.I. Disperse Red 60, C.I. Disperse Blue 360, C.I. Disperse Blue 359, C.I. Disperse Orange 25, C.I. Disperse Orange 60, C.I. Disperse Red 364, and C.I. Disperse Yellow 232.

11. A method for producing a recording, the method comprising: an attachment step, in which an aqueous ink jet composition according to claim 1 is ejected by ink jet technology and attached to a recording medium; and a heating step, in which the recording medium with the aqueous ink jet composition attached thereto is heated.

12. The method according to claim 11 for producing a recording, wherein the recording medium is a piece of fabric.

13. The method according to claim 11 for producing a recording, wherein the recording medium is made of at least one material including one or two or more selected from the group consisting of silk, wool, cellulose, acrylic fiber, polyurethane, and polyamide.

14. The method according to claim 11 for producing a recording, wherein the recording medium is made of materials including polyester and one or two or more selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, polyamide, acrylic fiber, and polyurethane.

15. The method according to claim 11 for producing a recording, wherein a temperature at which the recording medium is heated in the heating step is 100 C. or more and 160 C. or less.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0141] The following describes specific examples of aspects of the present disclosure.

1. Preparation of Ink Jet Inks

Example 1

[0142] First, C.I. Disperse Yellow 54 as a specific dye was mixed with MD-1480 (Toyobo) as an aqueous dispersion of a polyester having a glass transition temperature of 20 C., UW1527F (Ube Industries) as an aqueous dispersion of a thermosetting polyurethane, glycerol, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethanolamine, OLFINE E1010 (Nissin Chemical Industry) as a surfactant, and purified water according to predetermined proportions. The resulting mixture was slurried by stirring at 3000 rpm with a high-shear mixer (Silverson).

[0143] The resulting slurry was stirred using a bead mill (LMZ015, Ashizawa Finetech) with 0.5-mm glass beads under water-cooled conditions to disperse the materials therein. Then the glass beads were removed, giving an ink jet ink as an aqueous ink jet composition.

[0144] The acid value of the polyester in the MD-1480 was 3 KOH mg/g. The hydroxyl value of the polyester was 6 KOH mg/g, and the number-average molecular weight of the polyester was 1510.sup.3.

Examples 2 to 13

[0145] An ink jet ink was produced as in Example 1 except that the formula was as in Table 1.

Comparative Examples 1 to 5

[0146] An ink jet ink was produced as in Example 1 except that no urethane resin was used and the proportions of ingredients were adjusted according to the formula given in Table 1.

Comparative Example 6

[0147] An ink jet ink was produced as in Example 1 except that no polyester was used and the proportions of ingredients were adjusted according to the formula given in Table 1.

Comparative Example 7

[0148] An ink jet ink was produced as in Example 1 except that no polyester or urethane resin was used and the proportions of ingredients were adjusted according to the formula given in Table 1.

[0149] The makeup of the ink jet inks of Examples and Comparative Examples is summarized in Table 1. In the table, % means % by mass. C.I. Disperse Red 364 is represented by DR364, C.I. Disperse Yellow 232 is represented by DY232, C.I. Disperse Yellow 54 is represented by DY54, C.I. Disperse Red 60 is represented by DR60, C.I. Disperse Blue 360 is represented by DB360, C.I. Disperse Blue 359 is represented by DB359, C.I. Disperse Orange 25 is represented by DO25, C.I. Disperse Orange 60 is represented by DO60, polyester is represented by PEs, a urethane resin is represented by PU, the solids content of EPOCROS K2010E (emulsion of an oxazoline-containing polymer; glass transition temperature, -50 C.) is represented by K2010E, the solids content of EPOCROS WS-300 (aqueous solution of an oxazoline-containing polymer) is represented by WS-300, glycerol is represented by Gly, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether is represented by TEGBE, triethanolamine is represented by TEA, and OLFINE E1010 (Nissin Chemical Industry) is represented by E1010. Furthermore, in the table, PEs with a Tg of 20 C. represents a polyester having a glass transition temperature of 20 C. as the solids content of Vylonal MD-1480 (Toyobo) as an aqueous dispersion of a thermosetting polyester, and PEs with a Tg of 70 C. represents a polyester having a glass transition temperature of 70 C. as the solids content of Vylonal MD-2000 (Toyobo) as an aqueous dispersion of a thermosetting polyester. The ink jet inks of all Examples had a surface tension of 25 mN/m or more and 35 mN/m or less. The surface tension was measured by the Wilhelmy method at 25 C. using a surface tensiometer (Kyowa Interface Science CBVP-7). The ink jet inks of all Examples had a viscosity of 4 mPa.Math.s or more and 10 mPa.Math.s or less. The viscosity was measured using MCR-300 rheometer (Physica). With this rheometer, the shear rate was increased from 10 [s.sup.1] to 1000 [s.sup.1] at 25 C., and the viscosity was read at a shear rate of 200. In all aqueous ink jet compositions, the polyester was in particulate form, and the average particle diameter of the polyester was 60 nm or more and 200 nm or less. For all ink jet inks of Examples, 4.0X.sub.E/X.sub.D300, 2.0X.sub.U/X.sub.D150, and 1.5X.sub.E/X.sub.U5.0, where X.sub.D is the dye content of the aqueous ink jet composition (% by mass), X.sub.E is the polyester content of the aqueous ink jet composition (% by mass), and X.sub.U is the urethane resin content of the aqueous ink jet composition (% by mass).

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Specific dye(s) PEs DY DR DB DB DO DO DR DY PEs with a PEs with a 54 60 360 359 25 60 364 232 Tg of 20 C. Tg of 70 C. PU [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] Example 1 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 Example 2 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 5 Example 3 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 10 Example 4 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 10 10 Example 5 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 10 5 Example 6 0 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 5 Example 7 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 6 Example 8 0 0 0 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 30 15 Example 9 0 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 10 20 Example 10 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 0 0 0 10 2 Example 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 0 3 0 2 Example 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 0 3 2 Example 13 0.3 0 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 10 Comparative 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Example 1 Comparative 0.05 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 Example 2 Comparative 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0.5 Example 3 Comparative 0.05 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 8 Example 4 Comparative 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 5 Example 5 Comparative 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 2 Example 6 Comparative 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Example 7 Oxazoline- containing polymer K2101 WS-300 Gly TEGBE TEA E1010 Water [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] [%] X.sub.E/X.sub.D X.sub.U/X.sub.D X.sub.E/X.sub.U Example 1 0 0 10 3 1 0.5 82 5 2 2 Example 2 0 1 10 3 1 0.5 64 30 10 3 Example 3 0 1 10 3 1 0.5 54 40 20 2 Example 4 1 0 10 3 1 0.5 54 40 20 2 Example 5 1 0 10 3 1 0.5 59 40 10 4 Example 6 0 1 10 3 1 0.5 59.4 200 50 4 Example 7 0 1 10 3 1 0.5 45.5 10 2 5 Example 8 1 0 10 3 1 0.5 39.4 150 150 2 Example 9 1 0 10 3 1 0.5 54 40 40 0.5 Example 10 0 1 10 3 1 0.5 72.4 20 20 5 Example 11 0 1 10 3 1 0.5 79.3 10 10 1.5 Example 12 2 0 10 3 1 0.5 78.3 10 10 1.5 Example 13 1 0 10 3 1 0.5 54 40 20 2 Comparative 0 0 10 3 1 0.5 83 2 0 Example 1 Comparative 0 0 10 3 1 0.5 70 400 0 Example 2 Comparative 0 0 10 3 1 0.5 60 40 1 10 Example 3 Comparative 0 0 10 3 1 0.5 75 320 160 2 Example 4 Comparative 0 0 10 3 1 0.5 75 10 10 1 Example 5 Comparative 0 0 10 3 1 0.5 80 60 10 6 Example 6 Comparative 0 0 10 3 1 0.5 85 0 0 Example 7

2. Testing

2-1 Storage Properties of the Ink Jet Ink

[0150] Each ink jet ink of Examples and Comparative Examples as freshly prepared was packed in a predetermined ink pack, stored for 7 days under heated conditions at 70 C., and subjected to viscosity measurement. The percentage change in viscosity after the storage under heated conditions was determined, and the storage properties of the ink jet ink were graded according to the criteria below. Smaller percentage changes in viscosity mean better storage properties of the ink jet ink. An ink was considered good if the grade was B or better. The viscosity of the ink jet inks was measured using MCR-300 rheometer (Physica). With this rheometer, the shear rate was increased from 10 [s.sup.1] to 1000 [s.sup.1] at 25 C., and the viscosity was read at a shear rate of 200.

[0151] A: The percentage change in viscosity is less than 2%.

[0152] B: The percentage change in viscosity is 2% or more and less than 5%.

[0153] C: The percentage change in viscosity is 5% or more and less than 7%.

[0154] D: The percentage change in viscosity is 7% or more and less than 10%.

[0155] E: The percentage change in viscosity is 10% or more.

2-2 Stability of the Ink Jet Ink Upon Ejection

[0156] Each ink jet ink of Examples and Comparative Examples as freshly prepared was packed in a predetermined ink container and stored for 1 day under 23 C. conditions.

[0157] Then the container was attached to PX-M860F recording apparatus (Seiko Epson), and the ink jet ink was ejected to attach a solid pattern to sheets of grade P plain paper (Fuji Xerox) as a recording medium. The recording resolution was 600 dpi.

[0158] Thirty sheets of the recording medium with a recorded solid pattern thereon were checked for nonejecting nozzles, i.e., nozzles that failed to eject the ink, and stability upon ejection was graded according to the criteria below. An ink was considered good if the grade was B or better.

[0159] A: The number of nonejecting nozzles was 0.

[0160] B: The number of nonejecting nozzles was 1 or more and 3 or less.

[0161] C: The number of nonejecting nozzles was 4 or more and 10 or less.

[0162] D: The number of nonejecting nozzles was 11 or more and 20 or less.

[0163] E: The number of nonejecting nozzles was 21 or more.

2-3 Color Strength

[0164] Each ink jet ink of Examples and Comparative Examples as freshly prepared was ejected from PX-M860F recording apparatus (Seiko Epson) to draw a predetermined pattern on a piece of cotton fabric as a recording medium.

[0165] Then the side of the recording medium onto which the ink jet ink had been attached was heated at 160 C. for 60 seconds using an iron as a heater, completing a recording.

[0166] The resulting recordings were graded for color strength. Specifically, in the production of each recording, chromaticity was measured between the attachment of ink jet ink and heating. The finished recording was also subjected to the measurement of chromaticity. The points of measurement were a point in the portion of the recording medium to which the ink jet ink had been attached and the same point of the finished recording, and the measuring instrument was i1 (X-rite). The results were used to determine the percentage increase after heating in saturation as measured in the L*a*b* color space (square root of (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2)), and the optical density (OD) was also determined at a point of the recording to which the ink jet ink had been attached. Then color strength was graded according to the criteria below. Greater percentage increases in saturation and higher ODs mean better color strength. A recording was considered good if the grade was B or better.

[0167] A: The percentage increase in saturation is 50% or more, and the OD is 0.5 or more.

[0168] B: The percentage increase in saturation is 30% or more and less than 50%, and the OD is 0.5 or more.

[0169] C: The percentage increase in saturation is 15% or more and less than 30%, and the OD is 0.5 or more.

[0170] D: The percentage increase in saturation is 0% or more and less than 15%, and the OD is 0.5 or more.

[0171] E: Saturation is lower than before heating, or the OD is less than 0.5.

[0172] Then the same color strength test was repeated with different recording media: a piece of polyester fiber fabric, a piece of mixed fabric of polyester fiber and cotton fiber, a piece of silk fabric, a piece of polyurethane fiber fabric, a piece of acrylic fiber fabric, and a piece of polyamide fiber fabric.

2-4 Fixation

[0173] Of the recordings of Examples and Comparative Examples produced in Section 2-3, those that were made using a piece of cotton fabric as a recording medium were washed with a laundry detergent (Lion TOP Clear Liquid) and warm water at 40 C. in a home washing machine (Toshiba Lifestyle Products & Services TW-Z9500L front-loader washing and drying machine) set to its standard mode. The percentage decrease in the OD of the print after washing was determined, and fixation was graded according to the criteria below. Smaller percentage decreases in OD mean better fixation of the print formed by the ink jet ink to the recording medium. A recording was considered good if the grade was B or better.

[0174] A: The percentage decrease in OD is less than 3%.

[0175] B: The percentage decrease in OD is 3% or more and less than 10%.

[0176] C: The percentage decrease in OD is 10% or more and less than 30%.

[0177] D: The percentage decrease in OD is 30% or more and less than 50%.

[0178] E: The percentage decrease in OD is 50% or more.

2-5 Feel and Texture

[0179] The recordings washed in Section 2-4 were visually inspected, for example for creases, and graded according to the criteria below. Fewer creases or similar lines mean better feel and texture. A recording was considered good if the grade was B or better.

[0180] A: The washed recording has no fold or crease.

[0181] B: The washed recording has few folds or creases.

[0182] C: The washed recording has folds, but with few creases.

[0183] D: The washed recording is slightly creased.

[0184] E: The washed recording is deeply creased.

[0185] The results are summarized in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Storage Stability of Color strength properties of the ink jet ink Polyester Polyester-cotton the ink jet ink upon ejection Cotton fabric fiber fabric mixed fabric Example 1 A A B A A Example 2 A B A A A Example 3 A B A A A Example 4 B A A A A Example 5 A A A A A Example 6 B A A A A Example 7 B B A A A Example 8 A B A A A Example 9 B B B A A Example 10 A A B A A Example 11 A A B A A Example 12 A A B A A Example 13 A B A A A Comparative E A E A D Example 1 Comparative D A A A A Example 2 Comparative B B D A D Example 3 Comparative B A A A D Example 4 Comparative A A D A D Example 5 Comparative A A D A D Example 6 Comparative A A E A E Example 7 Color strength Polyurethane Acrylic fiber Polyamide Feel and Silk fabric fiber fabric fabric fiber fabric Fixation texture Example 1 B B B B B A Example 2 A A A A A A Example 3 A A A A A B Example 4 A A A A A B Example 5 A A A A A A Example 6 A A A A A A Example 7 A A A A A A Example 8 A A A A A A Example 9 B B B B A B Example 10 B B B B A B Example 11 B B B B A B Example 12 B B B B B A Example 13 A A A A B A Comparative E E E E E D Example 1 Comparative A A A A B D Example 2 Comparative D D D D D D Example 3 Comparative A A A A B E Example 4 Comparative D D D D D D Example 5 Comparative D D D D D D Example 6 Comparative E E E E E B Example 7

[0186] As is clear from Table 2, examples of aspects of the present disclosure achieved good results. In Comparative Examples, the results were unsatisfactory.

[0187] Another set of recordings were produced in the same way but with a sheet of cellulose paper as a recording medium and tested as in Section 2-3, and the results were the same. Then recordings were produced as in Section 2-3 except that the recording medium was any of a piece of wool fabric or a piece of polyamide fiber fabric and that the recording medium with ink jet ink attached thereto was heated at 200 C. for 60 seconds. In this case, the recordings were not evaluable. With wool fabric, the recording medium scorched when heated. With polyamide fiber, the recording medium melted when heated.