Stabilizing additive for pigmented inkjet inks and methods of use
A non-hazardous, non-flammable suspension stabilizer solution for pigment-based textile inks, the solution comprising between 75 and 95 percent propylene glycol, 1-5 percent glycerine, 1-5 percent polyethylene glycol, 1-3 percent ethylene glycol, 1-3 percent dipropylene glycol, between one and two percent butylene glycol, 0.1-1 percent sodium dodecyl sulfate, 0.1-1 percent xanthan gum, 0.1-1 percent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 0.05 to 1 percent trisodium phosphate, and between one and five percent deionized water. The solution is mixed with an ink in the ratio of two percent to twenty percent by volume. The solution also contributes to longer shelf-life, antimicrobial protection, and reduced drying at printhead nozzles.
1 . A suspension stabilizer solution for pigment-based inks, the solution comprising:
between 75 and 95 percent by volume of propylene glycol;
one to five percent glycerine by volume;
one to five percent polyethylene glycol by volume;
one to three percent ethylene glycol by volume;
one to three percent dipropylene glycol by volume;
between one and two percent butylene glycol by volume;
0.1 to one percent sodium dodecyl sulfate by volume;
0.1 to one percent xanthan gum by volume;
0.1 to one percent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid by volume;
0.05 to one percent trisodium phosphate by volume; and
between one and five percent deionized water by volume.
2 . The solution of claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene glycol is polyethylene glycol 400.
3 . The solution of claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene glycol is polyethylene glycol 600.
4 . The solution of claim 1 , wherein the pigment-based inks include titanium dioxide for white, Pigment Blue for cyan, Pigment Red for magenta, Pigment Yellow for yellow, and Pigment Black or carbon black for black ink.