Inkjet technology for ceramic products. Influence of some process variables on ink penetration

Inkjet technology has become very popular in recent years and is nowadays widely used for decorating ceramic products. This has led to in-depth study of the operating principles and process variables involved. These notably influence the properties of the deposited ink layers, as do the physicochemical properties of the applied inks and of the glazes on which the inks are deposited. The problems associated with these factors are further heightened when inks with complex formulations designed to obtain special effects and specific surface properties are used. This study examines the characteristics of the interface that developed on applying an ink on a certain type of glaze, as well as the surface properties of the final product. The relationship of the amount of ink applied per unit area and the particle size distribution (PSD) of the glaze on which it was deposited to ink penetration into the glaze layer was also investigated. The resulting microstructures were observed by SEM, while the variation of glaze layer composition with distance to the surface was determined by SEM-EDS. The results obtained were successfully correlated with the porous texture of the unfired glaze (determined by SEM and mercury porosimetry) and with unfired glaze PSD.