Formulation of functional ink

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Functional printing is a new field that is opening up many new opportunities for the paper-making and printing industries. Graphic inks are being replaced by inks with functionalities that are not merely colour-related: electricconductive, resistive, luminescent, water- or grease-repellent, sealable, security, etc.
To achieve this, new active components need to be formulated and integrated into an ink so that they can be applied using conventional printing processes: screen, offset, flexography, inkjet, etc.
The CTP now has expertise underpinned by an ink formulation laboratory using mixing, dispersion or grinding techniques, for volumes ranging from a few tens of grams for laboratory tests to a few kilograms for industrial-scale evaluations.

 

Context and performance

The CTP has solid knowledge of commercially-available printing inks in terms of their formulations and the properties required, in particular rheological properties such as viscosity.

The formulation tools available at the CTP include a Dispermat dispersion and grinding system.
This multi-function tool can perform the following tasks:

• mix liquid components
  
• disperse soluble particulate components
  
• grind insoluble particulate components (using a bead mill)

Heat treatments can be performed if these are a necessary part of the formulation process. The formulated inks are characterised in terms of fineness (dispersion or grinding quality) and rheology.