Water dispersible phase change ink suitable for use as a photo-mask
View Patent ↗A water dispersible phase change ink composition including a hydrophilic wax having at least one ethoxyl moiety; a low viscosity wax having at least one hydroxyl group, wherein the low viscosity wax is miscible with the hydrophilic wax; an optional stabilizer; and a colorant, wherein the colorant is selected to absorb light in a region that one wants to block. An ink jet printer stick or pellet comprising the water dispersible phase change ink composition. A process for forming a photo-imaged stencil using the water dispersible phase change ink composition.
1. A water dispersible phase change ink composition comprising:
a hydrophilic wax having at least one ethoxyl moiety;
a low viscosity wax having at least one hydroxyl group, wherein the low viscosity wax is miscible with the hydrophilic wax;
an optional stabilizer; and
a colorant, wherein the colorant is selected to absorb light in a region that one wants to block.
2. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the colorant is a colorant selected to absorb light in the visible range.
3. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the colorant is a colorant selected to absorb light in the ultra violet range.
4. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the colorant is a black dye selected to absorb light in the ultra violet range.
5. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic wax is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated hydrocarbon wax, ethoxylated alcohol, and mixtures and combinations thereof.
6. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the low viscosity wax is a wax having a viscosity of from about 1 to about 15 centipoise at a temperature in the range of from about 80° C. to about 120° C.
7. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the low viscosity wax is selected from the group consisting of stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and mixtures and combinations thereof.
8. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is present and is selected from the group consisting of aromatic amine, hindered amine, phenol, and mixtures and combinations thereof.
9. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is an aromatic amine antioxidant.
10. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the colorant is selected from the group consisting of dyes, pigments, and mixtures and combinations thereof.
11. The water dispersible phase change ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the water dispersible phase change ink composition forms an ultra violet mask.
12. An ink jet printer stick or pellet comprising a water dispersible phase change ink composition, wherein the phase change ink composition comprises:
a hydrophilic wax having at least one ethoxyl moiety;
a low viscosity wax having at least one hydroxyl group, wherein the low viscosity wax is miscible with the hydrophilic wax;
an optional stabilizer, wherein the optional stabilizer, if present, is selected from the group consisting of aromatic amine, hindered amine, phenol, and mixtures and combinations thereof; and
a colorant, wherein the colorant is selected to absorb light in a region that one wants to block.
13. The ink jet printer stick or pellet of claim 12 , wherein the colorant is a colorant selected to absorb light in the visible range or the ultra violet range.
14. The ink jet printer stick or pellet of claim 12 , wherein the colorant is a black dye selected to absorb light in the ultra violet range.
15. The ink jet printer stick or pellet of claim 12 , wherein the ink jet printer stick or pellet forms an ultra violet mask.
16. The ink jet printer stick or pellet of claim 12 , wherein the hydrophilic wax is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated hydrocarbon wax, ethoxylated alcohol, and mixtures and combinations thereof.
17. The ink jet printer stick or pellet of claim 12 , wherein the low viscosity wax is selected from the group consisting of stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and mixtures and combinations thereof.
18. A process comprising:
disposing a water dispersible phase change ink composition onto a photo-sensitive emulsion film that is disposed on a screen to form a mask;
wherein the water dispersible phase change ink composition comprises a hydrophilic wax having at least one ethoxyl moiety; a low viscosity wax having at least one hydroxyl group, wherein the low viscosity wax is miscible with the hydrophilic wax; an optional stabilizer, and a colorant, wherein the colorant is selected to absorb light in a region that one wants to block;
exposing the mask to radiation to form a stencil; and
washing with water to remove the mask, leaving the photo-imaged stencil.
19. The process of claim 18 , wherein the hydrophilic wax is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated hydrocarbon wax, ethoxylated alcohol, and mixtures and combinations thereof.
20. The process of claim 18 , wherein the low viscosity wax is a wax having a viscosity of from about 1 to about 15 centipoise at a temperature in the range of from about 80° C. to about 120° C.