The use of plasma pre-treatment for enhancing the performance of textile ink-jet printing

In this study the effect of low temperature plasma (LTP) treatment of cotton fabric for ink-jet printing was investigated. Owing to the specific printing and conductivity requirements for ink-jet printing, none of the conventional printing chemicals used for cotton fabric can be directly incorporated into the ink formulation. As a result, the cotton fabric requires treatment with the printing chemicals prior to the stage of ink-jet printing. The printing chemicals as a treatment to cotton fabric are applied by the coating method. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility and effectiveness of applying LTP pre-treatment to enhance the performance of treatment paste containing sodium alginate, to improve the properties of the ink-jet printed cotton fabric. Experimental results revealed that the LTP pre-treatment in conjunction with the ink-jet printing technique could improve the final properties of printed cotton fabric.     

A study of the properties of ink-jet printed cotton fabric following low-temperature plasma treatment

This paper studies the effect of low-temperature plasma treatment on an ink-jet printed cotton fabric. Due to the specific printing and conductivity requirements for ink-jet printing, not all conventional printing chemicals, such as sodium alginate and urea, used for cotton fabric can be directly incorporated into the ink formulation. As a result, the cotton fabric requires pretreatment with the printing chemicals prior to the stage of ink-jet printing. Cotton is pretreated with the printing chemicals by means of a coating method. The aim of this paper was to study the possibility and effectiveness of applying low-temperature plasma treatment to enhance the performance of pretreatment paste containing sodium alginate so as to improve the properties of the ink-jet printed cotton fabric. Experimental results revealed that a low-temperature plasma pretreatment coupled with the ink-jet printing technique could improve the final printed properties of cotton fabric.     

The application of chitosan in pigment printing

The use of chitosan as a combined thickener and binder in pigment printing has been examined in comparison with a commercial printing system (Alcoprint). Printing pastes made up from mixtures of chitosan, pigment and acetic acid at the appropriate viscosity gave satisfactory prints on polyester and 67:33 polyester/cotton woven fabrics. Rheological data showed the chitosan pigment paste had a much lower yield point than commercial printing paste though no difficulties were found in its use. Curing of the chitosan print at 150°C for 6 min gave samples of comparable colour fastness to the commercial printed samples when subjected to the rubbing and washing tests. The only drawbacks noted in using chitosan in this way were a reduced colour yield and a much higher fabric stiffness.     

二氧化硅凝胶在彩色喷墨打印纸涂层的应用实验

用凝胶颜料与其他辅料组成的涂料,对原纸进行涂布制成彩色喷墨打印纸。该彩喷纸经打印测试。结果表明,在颜料与胶粘剂的配比比值为70︰30时,不管是用Espson打印机打印还是用Hp打印机打印,都可获得较好的打印效果。     

Digital ink-jet printing of regenerated cellulose nanofibrous mats with reactive inks

The versatility of nanofibres enables them to be used for various technological applications such as filtration, biomedicine and healthcare, composites, protective and functional textiles. Recently, in addition to the functional properties of electrospun nanofibrous mats, their aesthetic properties have been explored. Herein, attempts have been made to develop digital ink-jet printing of regenerated cellulose nanofibrous mats with reactive inks. First, a cellulose acetate polymer was created to fabricate electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibrous mats, which were then converted into regenerated cellulose nanofibrous mats through deacetylation. Next, the cellulose nanofibrous mats were treated with an alkaline solution then coloured with four (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) commercially available reactive inks by a digital ink-jet printing method using a piezoelectric digital ink-jet printer. Various parameters were investigated, including the optimal concentration of the pretreatment agents, fixation temperature and time, colour yield and the absorbency of the electrospun nanofibrous mats. The digital ink-jet printed cellulose nanofibrous mats exhibited excellent colour yield and colour fastness properties. Morphological analysis through scanning electron microscopy and chemical analysis through Fourier Transform–infrared were also carried out.     

真丝织物数码喷墨印花技术的介绍与探讨

介绍了数码喷墨印花技术的原理、特点及墨水组成等。并探讨了真丝织物采用数码喷墨技术进行印花的工艺过程和注意事项。     

Solar reflective ink-jet printed porcelain stoneware tiles as an alternative for Urban Heat Island mitigation

Digital ink-jet printing is a decoration system for ceramic tiles that requires the application of engobes with high whiteness and opacity, characteristics that can be used to design solar reflective ink-jet decorated tiles. These materials can help to mitigate Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. Here, the fabrication of ink-jet printed solar reflective tiles using an engobe with high solar reflectance was investigated. Two printing modalities (binary (BIN) and grayscale (GS)), five printing intensities, and four colours were tested. It was found that some of the prepared tiles can be used for mitigating the UHI phenomenon. The solar reflective properties were mainly derived from the reflective engobe, and in some grade, from the mineral composition of the inks. The colour and roughness measurements revealed that the GS modality could prepare ink-jet decorated tiles with good solar reflective properties with a smaller quantity of inks and good soiling resistance.     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of hetarylazo disperse colorants: Preparation and properties of ink-jet inks with active agents for polyester printing

The synthesis and characterization of two hetarylazo disperse colorants are described. These compounds were used for the preparation of ink-jet inks with and without active agents for polyester printing. The viscosity, conductivity, surface tension, and pH of these inks were studied over a period of time and discussed with respect to their structure and the active agent content. The particle size and particle size distribution of a representative ink containing a new synthesized hetarylazo compound were measured. All the prepared inks were proved to be suitable for ink-jet printing in terms of their particle size. Viscosity , surface tension, conductivity, and pH values of all inks, with and without active agent, were monitored over a period of 90 days and were related to the ink stability. The same properties were measured for an ink preparation with a commercial dye for comparison. The inks containing the new synthesized dyes were found to be more advantageous regarding most of the above properties, i.e., surface tension, viscosity, and conductivity. Contrarily pH values of all the preparations were unacceptable for ink-jet inks. The ink compositions containing the new synthesized compounds were applied by exhaustion (dyed) on polyester fabric. Fastness properties of the dyed polyester samples were excellent to very good in most cases. Color measurements of the dyed fabric were also performed. A qualitative determination of the aroma-active agent adsorbed on the fiber by the exhaustion method was achieved by the GC-MS method. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Use of a biomaterial as a thickener for textile ink‐jet printing

The feasibility of using chitosan as a thickener in the pretreatment print paste for textile ink‐jet printing was explored. An orthogonal analysis was used to determine the optimum conditions for using chitosan as a thickener in the pretreatment print paste and the effects of different process factors for achieving the best color yield in textile ink‐jet printing. With the help of the orthogonal analysis, the importance of different process factors was found to be in the order of (1) the amount of urea used, (2) the amount of chitosan used, (3) the amount of sodium bicarbonate used, and (4) the steaming time. On the basis of the results of the orthogonal analysis, the optimum conditions for using chitosan as a thickener for the pretreatment print paste were concluded to be 40 mL of chitosan, 10 g of urea, 8 g of sodium bicarbonate, and 5 min of steaming. According to an analysis of the results of different color fastness tests, chitosan could principally work as a pretreatment print paste thickener. However, the final color yield obtained from chitosan‐containing cotton fabrics depended greatly on the stage of the chitosan application. Nevertheless, the color fastness properties and the outline sharpness of the prints of cotton fabric were greatly improved by the chitosan treatment. A two‐bath chitosan treatment was developed to separate the chitosan from sodium bicarbonate and urea before it was padded onto the fabric surface to minimize the neutralization effect. On the basis of the results for the highest color yield obtained on the cotton fabric, it was confirmed that the two‐bath chitosan treatment was successfully developed. In addition, chitosan could impart higher antibacterial properties with a slight reduction in the tensile strength of the cotton fabric. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

UV‐assisted screen‐printing of flat textiles

An approach to printing of flat textiles is presented in this work. A screen‐printing method was applied on a cotton fabric. An aqueous printing paste was prepared from thickening and crosslinking agents and an ultraviolet‐sensitive tetrazole ring‐based compound of 2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride or nitrotetrazolium blue chloride. After the printing process, a pattern was just visible with the naked eye. The development of colour occurred after exposure of the textile to ultraviolet light of 253.7 nm and was caused by the transformation of 2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride or nitrotetrazolium blue chloride salts into the corresponding formazans, which are insoluble in water. The printed designs were resistant to washing. The stability of the colour of the samples is discussed in the case of prolonged irradiation, both with ultraviolet light of 253.7 nm and with daylight. This method of printing is a recent proposition for creative textile designing. It also seems to indicate a likely type of dye that may be further developed as potentially attractive for ultraviolet‐assisted printing or dyeing of textiles.     

Modified guar gum: An alternative source for printing of cotton fabric with reactive dye

The alginate thickener is the thickener frequently used for reactive printing of textile. The thickener responds with reactive pigments and thus does not lead to the fabric composition becoming stiffer. In this study, we prepared oxidised natural guar gum with hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. All other polysaccharides comprise reactive hydroxyl units with a stronger reactivity that must be replaced if they are to be used in reactive printing. Guar derivatives were synthesised and verified using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Natural thickeners, synthetic guar gum derivatives, have been employed in textile printing technique. In comparison to other synthetic thickeners, modified environmental guar gum polymer has been shown to be an ecologically friendly and low-cost thickener. Cotton fabric printed with modified guar thickening with hydrogen peroxide has even stronger colour strength than fabric printed with sodium alginate thickener, which is highly favourable. Penetration properties, colour value, colour strength, colour fastness to washing, light and rubbing was compared with alginate thickener (readily available on the market). Guar gum thickeners showed enhanced features versus sodium alginate for reactive printing. Partially replaced guar gum is an appropriate option due to the colour and physical properties.     

Digital and conventional printing and dyeing with the natural dye annatto: optimisation and standardisation processes to meet future demands

The plant colorant annatto was investigated to determine its potential use as a natural dye for conventional and novel textile applications. Alum was selected as a mordant. Different techniques of mordanting and a broad set of variations in the dyeing recipes were applied to achieve optimisation and an improvement in colour fastness properties. Quality control of all dyeings was performed using standard fastness tests and colour measurements. Printing of cotton fabrics was also achieved with annatto using the flatbed screen‐printing technique. Measurement of the rheological and physical properties of the annatto printing paste confirmed its stability and suitability for conventional printing. Fastness properties of the conventionally printed annatto fabric were also measured. A novel water‐based digital printing ink using annatto was prepared and applied to cotton fabric using a digital printing application. The physical properties of the annatto ink‐jet ink were also measured. Wash, light and rub fastness properties of the annatto digitally printed fabric were determined and compared with those of conventional printing methods. The results were promising for annatto as a natural colorant, which possibly paves the way for the development of a new range of natural environmentally friendly dyes.     

Sol-Gel法制备连续式喷墨打印用彩色陶瓷墨水的理化性能

虽然溶胶－凝胶过程已经成为世界范围的研究热点，但是绝大多数的研究均与工程陶瓷有关，溶胶－凝胶过程还没有在传统陶瓷上得到应用，本文介绍一种水质溶胶－凝胶的新应用：以溶胶－凝胶为基础的彩色墨水通过连续喷墨打印来装饰传统陶瓷，这些彩色墨水含有陶瓷装饰的主要成分，并且以水溶胶的形式存在，该墨水打印在陶瓷上变成凝胶，经烧后形成陶瓷的彩色装饰，阐述了制备墨水的关键性质及其潜在优点。     

喷墨相纸中PVA粘合剂与打印性能的关系

本文研究了彩色喷墨打印相纸的粘合剂与性能的关系。讨论了PVA粘合剂的聚合度对相纸性能以及PVA粘合剂用量对吸墨性能的影响。结果显示,粘合剂聚合度大有利于相纸性能的提高,粘合剂用量对相纸吸墨性能影响较大,合适的PVA聚合度和用量可以得到各项性能优良的喷墨打印相纸。     

喷墨技术进展及在电子元件中的应用

喷墨印刷可称之为当前发展最快的印刷技术。为了提高喷墨印刷的质量和扩大喷墨印刷的适用范围,人们正在进行大量的研究和开发工作。本文概要介绍喷墨技术的特点及原理;阐述了喷墨墨滴的产生方法、喷墨油墨以及喷墨介质的性能要求;同时指出了喷墨技术的新进展及其在电子元件中的应用。     

发展中的数码喷墨用UV固化油墨

应用UV固化油墨于数码喷墨 ,是 1种新兴喷印技术。文章针对数码喷印技术、油墨成分及其油墨的相应要求进行了阐述 ,文中涉及了现有的成型产品 ,并对UV固化油墨的发展趋势进行了展望 ,有助于人们了解这项新技术和新产品     

喷墨印花的有机颜料印墨

用于喷墨印花印墨的着色剂中,有机颜料性能优于染料,但难度大、本文就有机颜料着色剂及亲水性改性处理作了较为详细的介绍,同时述及印花粘合剂及印墨的制造方法。     

陶瓷墨水的制备技术

本文介绍了喷墨打印装饰技术在陶瓷行业中的应用,以及喷墨墨水的制备工艺。通过分析目前常用的陶瓷喷墨墨水的制备方法有分散法、溶胶-凝胶法、反相微乳液法,以及提出使用过渡金属配合物溶于水或有机溶剂中制备更加稳定墨水的方法。     

Properties of ink‐jet printed,ultraviolet‐cured pigment prints in comparison with screen‐printed,thermo‐cured pigment prints

A collection of printed fabrics for men’s shirts was designed and prepared using computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing technology. The colours for designs were ink‐jet printed on cotton fabrics with pigments and ultraviolet‐cured. These prints represented the target colours for subsequent flat‐screen printing, which was performed using pigment printing pastes and thermal curing. For an exact transfer of colours of the ink‐jet‐printed standard into the screen‐printing process, a computer recipe prediction method was used. A comparison of colorimetric parameters of fabrics printed with both printing techniques shows minimal and acceptable differences in the CIELab colour values. A comparison of colour fastness properties proves that very good colour fastness is achieved on the pigment‐printed fabrics produced with both printing techniques. The flat‐screen‐printed fabrics show better colour fastness to washing, perspiration and rubbing, while ink‐jet‐printed fabrics show better colour fastness to dry‐cleaning and light. The fabrics printed with both printing techniques have high rigidity and non‐elastic properties. The mechanical and physical parameters are strongly dependent upon the amount of the dry substance of the printing media applied on the cotton fabric surface, which is higher on screen‐printed fabrics. The ink‐jet‐printed fabrics show better air permeability than flat‐screen‐printed fabrics.     

Influence of additives on the fabric stiffness and colour depth of viscose printed with a guar gum thickener and a reactive dye

The effect of additives in a printing paste containing guar gum thickener and bireactive dye for cellulose printing was studied. The efficiency of the additives with respect to their chemical structure and concentration and the efficiency in combination with thickeners of different types (nonsubstituted, different degrees of carboxymethylation) and different concentrations (solid content) was investigated by assessing the fabric stiffness, colour depth, dye penetration, the viscosity and viscoelasticity of the printing paste and the printing paste add-on. Some additives caused a decrease in the fabric stiffness to an acceptable degree with little effect on the colour depth. Dye penetration was found to be exclusively additive-dependent. Spectroscopic and rheological investigations confirmed the reduction of dye/guar gum interactions due to the occurrence of additive/guar gum and additive/dye interactions. The best quality prints were obtained using a printing past containing a nonionic surfactant and a highly carboxymethylated guar gum thickener.