Rheological behavior and ink-jet printing characteristics of aqueous ceramic complex ink

Abstract

Ink-jet printing technology with ceramic ink of the four digital primary colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black; CMYK) can provide stable coloration even in the high-temperature firing process. Ceramic ink-jet printing can be widely applied in construction and ceramic industries due to the advantages of accurate and fast printing process of digital images for various products. Generally, organic solvent with proper viscosity and surface tension has been used in digital ink-jet printing process. However, the needs of ceramic ink without VOCs emission is increasing. In the present study, eco-friendly ceramic ink was synthesized by combining alumino boro-silicate glass frit and CoAl2O4 inorganic pigment based on an aqueous solvent that does not generate VOCs. The rheological properties and dispersion stability of aqueous ceramic ink were optimized. Jetting behavior and printing characteristics of the ceramic ink were also investigated in detail. As a result, the formulated aqueous ceramic complex ink showed a suitable jetting behavior without satellite drop by adjusting viscosity and surface tension. The ceramic ink can be printed on glass substrate with minimized spreading phenomena duo to high contact angle.